Mary Ann Voepel, aged 22, was found dead on April 29, 1997, in a wooded area south of downtown Orlando, Florida. Her body, along with that of another woman, Stephanie Singleton, was discovered off Americana Boulevard near Interstate 4 and Shingle Creek. Both women were known to be transient and had histories of drug addiction and sex work. They had met in the Orange County Jail and were often seen together in the same abandoned house with other drug users.
The circumstances of their deaths were particularly grim, as their bodies were found naked and posed in degrading positions. The Orlando police have not disclosed the exact cause of death, keeping this information confidential in hopes of aiding the investigation.
The investigation into Mary Ann Voepel's death revealed a tragic descent into a life of addiction and crime. Voepel, who had shown promise as a child, playing piano and attending private school, fell into drug use and sex work during her teenage years. Her mother, Kathleen Scott, had tried to provide a better life for her, but Voepel's choices led her down a dangerous path. Despite her struggles, Voepel was remembered by her mother as a good person who had a drug problem. The discovery of her body, along with Singleton's, marked a devastating end to her troubled life.
The investigation into the murders of Mary Ann Voepel and Stephanie Singleton eventually led to the arrest of Frederick Pete Cox. Cox, a former corrections officer with a history of minor offenses, had embarked on a crime spree in 1997, targeting women he believed to be sex workers. He was known to drive around Orlando in his tan Buick Park Avenue, picking up women and then shooting them. Cox's victims included Tracey Adams, who survived an attack, and Patricia Ann Logan, who was found dead in a field. On April 20, 1997, Cox killed both Voepel and Singleton within 24 hours of each other. Their bodies were found nine days later, leading to increased media attention and eventually Cox's arrest.
Frederick Pete Cox was apprehended on May 21, 1997, and faced multiple charges, including three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. After an initial mistrial, Cox was found guilty at his second trial and sentenced to life imprisonment, plus 30 years for the attempted murders. His conviction brought some measure of justice for the families of his victims, though the pain of their loss remained. The case of Mary Ann Voepel serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those struggling with addiction and the devastating impact of violent crime on communities.
