Robert Riness, a 49-year-old cab driver from Cocoa Beach, Florida, was tragically killed on December 9, 2021. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. near the intersection of Kensington Drive and Donna Avenue in Cocoa. Riness was in the area to pick up a customer when he was shot in the neck. His taxi, a minivan, subsequently crashed through a fence near a house. Despite the immediate response, Riness died at the scene. The police reported that nothing was stolen from him, indicating that the motive for the shooting was not robbery.
The investigation into Riness's death has been ongoing, with the Cocoa Police Department actively seeking leads. Despite having DNA evidence, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved. The police are also exploring the possibility that Riness's murder might be connected to a robbery of a pizza delivery driver that occurred on the same block just days before his death. This connection has not yet been confirmed, and the investigation is still open.
Riness's family has been vocal about their frustration with the pace of the investigation. His mother, Patricia Maybee, and sister, Tracy Baldwin, have expressed their heartbreak and anger over the lack of progress. They remember Riness as a joyful and loud individual who brought laughter to their lives. The family continues to seek justice and urges anyone with information to come forward. The case has drawn significant attention, but as of now, the killer remains at large.
