A man living in Delaware, Stephen L. Ford, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his former girlfriend, Doris Korell, who was found dead in a ditch in Florida 28 years ago. Korell was reported missing in December 1996 and was found dead four days later, having been stabbed 83 times. Ford called Korell’s daughter claiming she had driven off after an argument to go shopping, but her body was later discovered in a drainage canal in Palmetto. Ford had exhibited suspicious behavior, with detectives noting a decomposing smell in his home, stains on bedding and mattress, and a suicide note expressing a desire to be with Korell if she was dead.
Despite the evidence stacked against him, Ford vehemently denied any involvement in Korell’s disappearance. He had even allegedly rented a storage unit and relocated her belongings there in the days following her disappearance. Ford’s ex-girlfriend recalled receiving a letter from him prior to Korell going missing, expressing a desire for Korell to leave. Despite Ford’s attempts to take his own life through bleach ingestion, he relocated to Delaware in 1997, and the case went cold. In 2017, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reopened the investigation, leading to the discovery of new information and forensic analysis from DNA evidence linking Ford to the crime.
Korell’s acquaintances revealed that she and Ford had been experiencing domestic and financial issues at the time of her death, with Korell fearing her partner. Forensic analysis of bed stains found in Ford’s home revealed that they were his own bodily fluids from a suicide attempt, further strengthening the case against him. This, combined with Ford’s behavior, statements, and past suicide attempts, led authorities to charge him with Korell’s murder. Ford was apprehended during a traffic stop near his home in Delaware and booked into the Manatee County Jail in Florida on August 30.
The case of Doris Korell’s murder had gone unsolved for nearly three decades, but through the persistence of law enforcement and the reopening of the investigation in 2017, justice may finally be served. Ford’s denial of involvement in Korell’s disappearance and subsequent suicide attempts only served to further implicate him in the crime. The discovery of new evidence, including DNA analysis linking Ford to the case, gave authorities the probable cause needed to charge him with second-degree murder. Korell’s tragic death and the subsequent investigation serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking justice for victims of domestic violence.
It is important to note the impact of domestic violence on victims and their loved ones. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available through resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Ford’s alleged actions and the tragic death of Doris Korell underscore the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The reopening of the investigation and the subsequent arrest of Ford demonstrate the dedication of law enforcement to seeking justice for victims of violent crimes, even when years have passed since the initial incident. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of domestic violence and the long-lasting impact it can have on individuals and their families.
