The Clocktree
Click below to learn more about those who knew John Welles and the people who were connected to the case.
Click below to learn more about those who knew John Welles and the people who were connected to the case.
John Robert Welles: 17-year-old victim whose body was found floating in a ditch near Joshua Creek on July 8th, 2003 in Arcadia, Florida.
Photo source: Beth Waldron-Flowers
Matt Welles: John Welles’ older brother who was not home at the time of John’s death but remains a resident of the Southeast Hansel Avenue property today.
Photo source: Beth Waldron-Flowers
Helen Huff: John Welles’ biological mother.
Photo source: Delia D’Ambra
Warren “Mac” Welles: John Welles’ biological father
Dr. William Anderson: Forensic pathologist and former associate medical examiner for Florida’s 12th District. Anderson conducted John’s autopsy on July 9th, 2003 and ruled John’s manner of death as a homicide. He remains confident in that ruling to this day.
Photo source: Delia D’Ambra
Steve Blanchard: Former Desoto Sun newspaper reporter who covered the crime beat in Arcadia in 2003.
Photo source: Delia D’Ambra
Patrick Skinner: Teenage best friend of John Welles, initial crime scene witness who retrieved items of evidence at the scene per the direction of Pat Strader and Melvin “Skip” Strader.
Photo source: Desoto County Public Library
Beth Waldron-Flowers: Former high school girlfriend of John Welles.
Photo source: Beth Waldron-Flowers
Patricia Strader: John Welles’ grandmother who was present at the Southeast Hansel Avenue property the afternoon John was found dead. She called 911 to report John’s body in the water.
Photo source: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office case file
Melvin E. Strader Sr.: John’s grandfather by second marriage who died at the Southeast Hansel Avenue property from a heart attack one month before John died.
Melvin “Skip” Strader Jr.: John Welles’ Step-uncle who was on the Southeast Hansel Avenue property the day John died and was one of three people who discovered John’s body near Joshua Creek.
Photo source: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office case file
Kim Lewis-Sandoval: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office sergeant initially assigned to investigate the murder of John Welles in 2003. Interviewed key players and witnesses in the original investigation. Kim is now a captain with DCSO’s Support Bureau.
Photo source: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office
Curt Mays: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office major crimes detective initially assigned to investigate the murder of John Welles in 2003. Curt is now retired but worked to solve the case until his retirement in 2016.
Keri: Former fiancé of Melvin “Skip” Strader Jr.
Matt Martell: Longtime friend of Melvin “Skip” Strader Jr.
David Payne: Associate Producer for CounterClock Season 4.
Photo source: David Payne
Kevin Callahan: Former acquaintance of John Welles who has a criminal history in Central and South Florida.
Photo source: FL Department of Corrections Profile
James Kirdy: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office detective who re-investigated the John Welles case in 2016 and presented the accidental gunshot theory to the 12th District Medical Examiner’s office in 2017. Kirdy no longer works for DCSO.
Photo source: Desoto County Sheriff’s Office
Allison Nunes: Chief Operating Officer, DNA Labs International
Photo source: DNA Labs International
Rachel Oefelein: Director of Research & Innovation/ Quality Assurance Manager, DNA Labs International
Photo source: DNA Labs International
Dr. Russell Vega: Current District 12 Chief Medical Examiner who amended John Welles’ manner of death from homicide to undetermined in March of 2017.
Photo source: District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office
Aaron Brudenell: Firearms forensic specialist who consulted on the John Welles case for CounterClock.
Photo source: Delia D’Ambra
Dr. Kent Harshbarger: Forensic pathologist and Montgomery County, Ohio chief coroner who consulted on the John Welles case for CounterClock.
Photo source: Montgomery County Coroner’s Office