In a chilling turn of events, Florida is set to execute Joseph Zehrer, a man who evaded justice for 26 long years after the brutal murders of two women. The haunting story of Jan Cornell and her daughter, Robin, reflects a tragic saga of loss and relentless pursuit of justice.
On May 10, 1990, Jan Cornell returned home to find her life shattered. After spending the night at her boyfriend’s place, she arrived at her apartment in Cape Coral, only to discover both locks engaged. Panic set in as she knocked on the door, hearing footsteps inside but receiving no response. After a desperate search, she found the sliding glass door wide open.
Inside, chaos reigned. Drawers were pulled out, furniture was overturned, and the kitchen light flickered ominously. Jan rushed upstairs, only to find her roommate, Lisa Story, lifeless in her bedroom. In a heart-wrenching moment, she discovered her 11-year-old daughter, Robin, face down on the floor. Jan’s frantic attempts to revive her daughter were in vain, and the quiet neighborhood remained unaware of the horror unfolding behind closed doors
The perpetrator, Joseph Zehrer, walked away from the scene that night, blending back into society. For nearly three decades, he lived just five miles from where he committed the heinous acts, working as a landscaper and watching the anniversary coverage of the murders on television. Meanwhile, the DNA evidence collected from the crime scene sat in an evidence file, waiting for the right moment to connect to its owner.
Robin Cornell, a bright young girl with dreams of becoming a writer, was born on November 30, 1978. She was remembered as a kind soul who listened intently and made others feel valued. Lisa Story, 32, was a vibrant woman engaged to be married, with a promising future ahead. Both their lives were tragically cut short on that fateful night.
The investigation into their murders was exhaustive but ultimately fruitless for years. Despite numerous leads and tips, the case remained unsolved, and Zehrer’s name never surfaced. He was arrested for unrelated crimes but managed to slip through the cracks of the justice system.
In 2016, a chance encounter changed everything. Following an argument with his son, Zehrer was arrested for aggravated battery, which required him to provide a DNA sample. This sample was entered into a national database, and investigators were stunned when it matched the DNA found at the crime scene from 1990.
As detectives confronted Zehrer, he claimed to have no memory of the events surrounding the murders, attributing his memory loss to a motorcycle accident years prior. However, the evidence was overwhelming. On September 28, 2016, he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and the long-awaited pursuit of justice began to unfold.
Jan Cornell spent years advocating for her daughter and Lisa, never allowing their memories to fade. She was a constant presence in the media, ensuring that their story remained alive. The case was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” multiple times, but it wasn’t until the DNA match that the pieces finally fell into place.
The trial commenced in May 2023, with Jan taking the stand to recount the heart-wrenching details of that night. Zehrer maintained his innocence, even suggesting an impossible connection to Jan, which she vehemently denied. The jury deliberated for just three hours before returning a guilty verdict on both counts of murder
As the courtroom awaited the sentencing phase, Zehrer displayed erratic behavior, even attacking his attorney during proceedings. On June 26, 2023, he was sentenced to death for his crimes, a long-awaited moment for Jan and those who loved Robin and Lisa
Now, as Zehrer awaits his execution on death row, questions linger about the justice system and how a man could evade capture for so long. Will the legal battles continue to unfold, or will this case finally bring closure to the families affected? The story of Robin and Lisa serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for justice.
