FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — The combined case files are around 15,000 pages thick.

Details of the deaths of two women, Andrea Ford and Dawn Petterson. They lived similar lives and died similar deaths.

“We don’t know if they knew each other or not, but it is likely they crossed paths at least once,” said Detective Sarah Scalia with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. 

The case begins the morning of Oct. 29, 1997. The report states a bus driver discovered the body of Andrea Ford lying on the side of State Road 100 near County Road 302. A gunshot wound to the back of the head.

“They remove the bullet from her head and it is a .25 caliber,” Scalia said. “There are no suspects, no information, not even a crime scene – nothing around her.”

With little information, the case went cold. Then two years later: another victim.

Sept. 9, 1999. Petterson was found dumped on the side of Seminole Woods Parkway near Squash Blossom Trail. Dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head, also a .25 caliber. 

“They determine that they were fired from the same gun,” explains Scalia.

Which leads to the belief that the same person killed both Andrea and Dawn. So could there be a serial killer?

“We are looking at everything, there is nothing that links our cases to a serial killer, but we can’t rule that out,” she says.

Scalia says she has not found any other similar cases in the area, but she believes the killer knows the Flagler County and Holly Hill areas because of where the bodies were dumped.

She has not found a direct connection between the two women, but believes they could have common acquaintances out there. Both lived in the Daytona Beach, Holly Hill area, both were 38-years-old at the time of their deaths and both were known to frequent the same local bars.

“Someone out there knows something, relationships change over time, so maybe you heard something and whomever did this told you. Now is the time to speak up because their families want answers,” says Scalia.

Dawn’s brother, Erik Petterson, says his big sister was loving, a good mother and that her death was devastating.

“I hope they catch whoever did it so doesn’t happen anymore,” he said. “Not finding this person has just been daunting on my entire family.”

Now, Scalia is meticulously going through the thousands of pages of reports and looking into what evidence can be re-tested by today’s technology. But with two victims, could there be more?

“It is possible, we can’t rule it out. There is nothing to suggest that, as of right now we don’t have any other cases connected,” she says.” But we will see what happens in the future.”

If you know anything about the murder of Andrea Ford or Dawn Petterson, call The Flager County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit at 386-313-4911 you can also submit tips via email at Tips@FlaglerSheriff.com.