Man arrested for 1993 child abduction of Andrea Gail Parsons

GlobalPost

Almost 20 years since a 10-year-old girl vanished while buying candy at a grocery store in Florida, police have arrested a 42-year-old man for her murder.

ABC News reported Andrea Gail Parsons, 10, of Port Salerno, Florida, was last seen on July 11, 1993, shortly after 6 p.m.

Witnesses told police the schoolgirl had just purchased candy and soda at a grocery store when she waved to a local couple as they drove by.

Police charged Chester Duane Price, 42, with first-degree murder and kidnapping of a child under the age of 13.

A press release from Martin County Sheriff Robert L. Crowder stated the development in the cold case came after a special team of detectives was assigned to the case last year. 

"Several fresh eyes" began to review the evidence, he said.

Crowder said "the investigation has concluded that Price abducted and killed Andrea Gail Parsons" but "tragically, at this time, her body has not been recovered".

No details were given about the evidence that led to the arrest.

"The resolve to find Andrea and get answers surrounding the circumstances of her disappearance has never wavered as detectives and others assigned have dedicated their careers to piecing this puzzle together," the statement read.

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