Family of Cape Coral murder victim feels like homicide case will never be solved

Rose Marie Gayhart disappeared in 1985 at the age of 23, and her sister, Laurie Travis, says Cape Coral police are failing to make progress in solving the case, even after her remains were identified in July. "It was my sister that was murdered down there, and I feel like they don't care," Travis said. Gayhart’s remains were discovered in 2024 in a canal along Kismet Parkway, and investigators searched the area for additional evidence this summer. Travis said she has seen investigator after investigator resign from the case over the years. "Livingston County went after Cape Coral because when Rose first came up missing back in '85, they weren't doing anything. Forty-one years later, police still haven't found out who killed her," she said. Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore spoke in July about the challenges of solving the case. "You're going to need somebody who knows to come forward, to include the person who may have done it. To have a deathbed confession is kind of what you would call that. Hey, I need to come clean," Sizemore said. Travis expressed doubt that such a confession would ever happen. "So the guy walks, right? Unless he admits it, it doesn't make sense to me how a murderer will go up to a cop and say, 'I murdered this girl.' I just can't see it happening," she said. Police have said they are focusing on two individuals: suspected serial killer Roland Davis, who is deceased, and Gayhart’s former boyfriend, Bob Paddock, who lived with her in a trailer in North Fort Myers. Sizemore previously stated there was a reported argument about Gayhart being pregnant and Paddock not wanting the baby. Travis described Paddock’s behavior during the investigation as suspicious. "He gets nasty with the investigators. I mean, something's not right there," she said. The Cape Coral Police Department sent Gulf Coast News this statement regarding the homicide case on Wednesday: "This is an active case, therefore, we will not comment on specific witness interviews, certain case details, etc. We provided a round of media recently whereby we solicited public input, as is standard in older investigations. Our investigators are continuing to work on this case." "I want justice. I want somebody to pay for what they did to my sister," Travis said. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.