James Norris homicide 40 years ago remains an open investigation $10,000 reward is offered
On the morning of Oct. 4, 1974, James Norris, a young man from San Francisco, Calif. arrived in Miami, Fla., on a commercial flight, traveling under the alias of Richard Gunning. He was carrying a large amount of cash he intended to pay for the purchase of Columbian grade marijuana from an organization operating in Citrus County, Fla., north of Tampa.
Later on the same day, Norris mailed a postcard to his family from the town of Inglis, Fla. in Levy County, on the border with Citrus County. That postcard was the last communication he had with his family.
On April 16, 1976, skeletal remains were found off U.S. Highway 19 in northern Dixie County near the Taylor County line. They remained unidentified for years until advances in DNA testing confirmed the remains were those of the missing James Norris.
In April 2011, Norris’ family flew to Florida to claim his remains and an active homicide investigation started.
In the course of that on-going investigation Dixie County Sheriff Dewey Hatcher and Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jeff Siegmeister, and others have worked with FDLE special agents to learn more about what happened to Norris.
Investigators say progress has been made, but are hopeful that someone will step forward with information that will bring closure to the Norris family.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact: Special Agent Supervisor Mike Kennedy, FDLE, Tallahassee, Fla., 850- 410-7578 or Major Scott Harden, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, 352- 498-3312.
To learn more about James Norris, go to, www.whokilledjamesnorris.com
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
