On March 19, 2023, 24-year-old Colby Vinson was found dead at the Cayo Grande Apartments in Navarre, Florida. He had been shot and was discovered lying on the concrete outside his front door with a gunshot wound to the face. Vinson's 4-year-old daughter was found beside him, but she was unharmed.
The investigation revealed that Vinson's death was linked to a bitter custody dispute involving his daughter. Just days before his murder, on March 13, Vinson had been granted 50/50 custody of the child, marking the first time in a year he had custody of his daughter. This custody ruling had left the child's mother, 25-year-old Rachel Moore, distraught.
Jason L. Curtis, 53, who is Moore's ex-stepfather, was arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder. Curtis was apprehended in Cullman, Alabama, two days after the murder. During the arrest, authorities found a murder weapon and a note in his vehicle that included Vinson's physical description and addresses for his home and work.
Rachel Moore was also arrested and charged with accessory to murder and tampering with evidence. According to the investigation, Moore had an ominous conversation with Curtis after the custody ruling, during which he sent her pictures of knives and guns via Facebook Messenger. Moore allegedly knew Curtis was planning something but did not think he would actually harm Vinson.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Robert Johnson condemned the act, describing Curtis as a "human piece of trash" for committing the murder in front of the 4-year-old child. The sheriff emphasized the horrific nature of the crime, highlighting the shock and horror it evoked.
In May 2024, Jason Curtis was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Colby Vinson. Moore remains in custody, facing charges related to her alleged involvement in the crime. The case underscores the extreme and tragic consequences that can arise from custody disputes.
