A former Florida sheriff’s deputy, John Greer, has been identified as the suspect in the 45-year-old murder of a store clerk, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Greer, 77, was not only implicated in the killing of 25-year-old Adele Marie Easterly, an assistant manager at The Farm Store in Ridge Harbor, Florida, but also in the death of his wife, Jackie Greer, months earlier. Additionally, his involvement in other suspicious deaths and sexual assault allegations was investigated, though no concrete evidence linked him to those cases.
Sheriff Bill Prummell made it clear in a statement that Greer’s actions do not reflect the agency’s commitment to law enforcement, stressing that the vast majority of the department’s personnel are dedicated and honorable.
The Crime and Investigation
At approximately 2 a.m. on November 5, 1979, Greer radioed in a report of a homicide at The Farm Store. The victim, Adele Easterly, had been shot twice in the back and head with a 12-gauge shotgun. Greer claimed the killer had stolen just $7.34 from the store before fleeing the scene.
Despite interviewing several of Easterly’s friends and acquaintances, investigators could not find enough evidence to identify a suspect. Although Greer came under suspicion, deputies were unable to establish a direct link between him and the crime.
Months earlier, on August 27, 1979, Greer had reported that his wife, Jackie, had died from a gunshot wound in what was ruled a suicide. Investigators had doubts but lacked sufficient evidence to support foul play. The case remained unresolved, with Greer continuing to live freely.
The Cold Case and Breakthrough
Greer’s history raised additional questions, especially after his resignation from the sheriff’s office on October 3, 1980. A female friend’s suspicious death was connected to him, but investigators could not substantiate the claims of inappropriate behavior or possible foul play.
The Easterly case remained cold, despite new leads and reports, including one involving an alleged affair between Easterly and a fellow sheriff’s deputy. In 2016, the Cold Case Unit reignited the investigation, releasing a public statement hinting that a law enforcement officer might have been involved, hoping it would prompt new witnesses to come forward.
The Break in the Case
In a twist, a former Sheriff’s Office Explorer came forward with critical testimony in the spring of 2023. She recalled being sexually assaulted by Greer and claimed he had mentioned the murder of Easterly. She also reported seeing Greer with blood on his hands the night of the murder.
This testimony, along with new evidence, led investigators to travel to Tennessee, where Greer was living in a care facility. During an interview, Greer confessed to both murders, admitting to shooting Easterly and his wife.
Greer passed away on March 2, 2024, in Tennessee, bringing an end to the decades-long investigation. The sheriff’s office officially closed the case, which had remained unsolved for 45 years.
