Nearly four decades after the brutal murder of a 28-year-old firefighter, Miramar Police have finally cracked the case. Detective Danny Smith announced that DNA evidence has definitively linked Harry Van Collier to the crime, providing long-awaited closure to the cold case.
In 1986, firefighter Billy Halpern was found dead in his Miramar townhouse, bound with black electrical tape and having bled to death from his injuries. The investigation had long gone cold, with no significant leads until recent advancements in DNA technology allowed detectives to revisit the evidence.
Harry Van Collier, the suspect now tied to Halpern’s murder, was himself killed a week after Halpern’s death, shot in the head under mysterious circumstances. This new connection suggests that Halpern may have been murdered because he possessed crucial information about criminal activities linked to the Apollo gym in Hollywood, Florida. The gym was allegedly a hub for illegal drugs and weapons.
Detective Smith noted that while there is no indication that Halpern was involved in any illegal activities, he likely became a target due to his knowledge of the illicit operations centered around the Apollo gym. The breakthrough in this case underscores the importance of advancements in forensic science and the persistent efforts of law enforcement.
The resolution of this case brings a sense of justice and closure to Halpern’s family and the community, who have waited decades for answers. Miramar Police continue to investigate the broader network of criminal activities associated with the Apollo gym, hoping to uncover more details that may have been hidden for years.
