In an effort to revive the investigation and seek new leads, a reward is now being offered for any information that could lead to an arrest. The case, which has haunted the family and community for years, is being brought back into the spotlight with hopes of finally identifying the individual responsible for this heinous act.

During a recent press conference, Chase Robinson, Executive Director of First Coast Crime Stoppers, recounted the details of that fateful night. Melissa was found brutally beaten inside her residence at the Taylor trailer park on Coljean Court, located along Normandy Boulevard. Robinson emphasized the importance of community recollection, urging residents to reflect on their surroundings from years past. “Consider where you were in 1987,” he suggested, “as the Taylor trailer park was a part of the community until the early 2000s. Your memories could hold the key to solving this case.”

As the investigation continues, the family hopes that renewed attention and the potential for a reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward and help bring an end to their long-standing grief.

“This is important to know that where you traverse now might have been someplace different in 1987, that where you frequented in 1987 could be different than what it is now. So it’s really to bring people into this mindset of reminiscing on where you were in 1987, reminiscing where you were in the early 2000s because the Taylor trailer park did exist through the early 2000s,” Robinson explained.

Ellison had called her mom at 11:30 p.m. that night and told her she was scared, but would not say why. Around 4 a.m., she was found beaten to death with a charred log from her fireplace. Ellison’s 13-month-old baby girl was found on her couch, though she was not hurt.

Cold Case Detective Travis Oliver Sr. said they have been trying to solve the case as if it happened now with the most up-to-date technology. He believes someone knows something about Ellison’s death.

“We had people present when this happened, and we have witnesses that we know have information and that information that they’re withholding from us is hindering us giving justice for the family in this case. We know that there are things now, people go through lifestyle changes, they go through changes in their life and they’re in a different position now than they were in 1987,” Oliver said.

Ellison’s family have not given up. Her sister Glenda Blandford said this case continues to take a toll on their family.

“The thoughts and the images of someone coming into her home to deliberately hurt her has been unimaginable for my family. It has eaten us alive. My message today is not just for her killers, but all those involved in covering it up, all those involved in not speaking up,” Ellison said.

Ellison’s daughter, Casey, made an emotional plea to anyone who might know something about her mother’s death.

“Someone has lived with this knowledge for nearly four decades. And someone listening to this right now knows that this is about them. We are not asking for judgment. We are not asking for speculation. We are not asking for stories. We are asking for information. The smallest detail can matter. A name, a car, a place, a conversation. A rumor you may have dismissed. A memory you might have thought was irrelevant. This case does not need belief. It needs evidence,” Casey said.

If anyone has any information, contact Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. People can also submit a tip online or through the Crime Stoppers app. It is completely anonymous. A $5,000 reward is also being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest.