Executive Summary
- Julie Krinsky, 53, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 death of Joseph Godcharles.
- Investigators credit advancements in DNA technology for identifying the suspect after more than a decade.
- The victim was found stabbed in his Key Royal Villas apartment with no signs of forced entry.
- Authorities confirmed the suspect and victim had a prior romantic relationship.
Law enforcement officials in Collier County, Florida, have arrested a 53-year-old woman in connection with the 2012 homicide of Joseph Godcharles, marking a significant break in a decade-long cold case. Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and State Attorney Amira Fox announced on Friday that Julie Krinsky has been taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Krinsky was apprehended on Thursday in Beverly Hills, Florida, where she currently resides. Investigators confirmed that she is awaiting extradition to Collier County to face charges. The breakthrough in the investigation is attributed to advancements in DNA technology, which Sheriff Rambosk noted played a pivotal role in identifying Krinsky as the suspect responsible for the death of Godcharles.
The investigation began on August 1, 2012, when 48-year-old Joseph Godcharles was found stabbed to death inside his apartment at the Key Royal Villas community off Immokalee Road. Police reports state that the victim’s son discovered the body after noticing the residence was unsecured and contacted law enforcement. Deputies noted at the time that there were no signs of forced entry, suggesting that the victim likely knew his assailant.
Sheriff Rambosk disclosed that Krinsky and Godcharles were longtime friends who had also been involved in a romantic relationship. “This arrest is the direct result of years of relentless work by CCSO detectives and Forensics Services Bureau members working hand-in-hand with prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Cold Case Unit,” Rambosk said in a statement regarding the operation.
Forensic Developments and Legal Proceedings
The arrest in this case highlights the critical role of evolving forensic science in resolving dormant homicide investigations. By re-examining evidence with modern DNA profiling capabilities, law enforcement agencies are increasingly able to secure probable cause in cases where traditional investigative leads had been exhausted. As the case proceeds to the judicial phase, the court will likely scrutinize the chain of custody and the specific nature of the DNA evidence linking the suspect to the scene. It is important to note that all individuals, including Ms. Krinsky, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
