Florida Man Charged in 1984 Jackson County Killing

Another cold case is now red hot, this time in Jackson County, Michigan. After more than four decades, an arrest has been made in the 1984 disappearance and murder of a 13-year-old girl from Summit Township.

RELATED: Michigan Cold Case Files: Unsolved Murders In Jackson

Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette and Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey announced in a joint press release that a 74-year-old man from Florida has now been charged with First-Degree Felony Murder and Second-Degree Murder in connection with the case.

The 1984 Disappearance of Kelly Harris

Leonard Hugall was serving a 50-year sentence in Florida for Kidnapping and Criminal Sexual Conduct. He admitted that he killed and raped his 13-year-old stepdaughter, Kelly Harris, and buried her body. That confession came in 2006; however, no charges were pursued at that time due to his incarceration in Florida.

Why Charges Took 40 Years

According to MLive, Hugall was released from prison, which allowed Jackson officials to pursue charges in the Harris murder.

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Sheriff Schuette praised the work of Detective Sergeant Kelly Ebersole and Detective Mark Easter, saying:

...we never quit, no matter how long it takes

Once Hugall is extradited to Michigan, he will be arraigned in the 12th District Court and could face life in prison without parole if convicted. No court dates have been set until his return.

RELATED: Michigan True Crime: DNA Links Serial Killer to 2006 Murder

For Jackson and Summit Township residents, this is more than just another headline—it's a reminder that even decades-old secrets can come to light. And for the victim's family, it's the first real step in a 40-plus-year wait for justice.