October 27, 1988 – Columbia County & Suwannee County, Florida
On this day, more than three decades ago, the small Florida communities of Columbia and Suwannee County were rocked by two devastating incidents that remain unsolved to this day. The tragic disappearance of Detra and Roshanda McGuire, and the brutal murder of respected businessman John W. Dwight, continue to haunt investigators and the families seeking justice.
The Disappearance of Detra and Roshanda McGuire
On October 27, 1988, Detra and her daughter Roshanda McGuire set out to run a quick errand, never to return. Later, Roshanda’s body was discovered along Interstate 10, but Detra’s whereabouts remain unknown. It is believed that foul play was involved, and despite extensive investigations, the case remains cold.
More than thirty years later, the community still grapples with the unanswered questions surrounding their disappearance. Roshanda’s family mourns her loss, while Detra’s loved ones continue to hold out hope for answers.
The Murder of John W. Dwight
Just five years after the McGuire case, another tragedy struck in nearby Suwannee County. John W. Dwight, a well-known businessman in Live Oak, Florida, was found brutally beaten and shot in a building near Live Oak Gas Co., where he worked.
The evidence pointed to at least two perpetrators, and the murder is believed to have occurred between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, during Dwight’s lunch break. Despite the clear signs of a violent crime, Dwight’s case remains unsolved, leaving his family and the community without closure.
Both Cases Unsolved
Though unrelated, the tragic stories of Detra and Roshanda McGuire and John W. Dwight share a common theme: they remain unsolved. Both cases continue to be investigated, but decades of unanswered questions have taken a toll on the families and communities that knew these victims.
Both families deserve justice and answers, and the cases remain open in the hopes that new information may come to light.
How You Can Help
If you have any information about the McGuire or Dwight cases, please contact the authorities:
McGuire Case:
- Columbia County Sheriff’s Office – Det. Sgt. Joshua Green: 386-758-1095
- Crime Stoppers of Columbia County: 386-754-7099
Dwight Case:
- Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office – Cpl. Chris Lee: 386-362-2222
- Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County: 386-208-8477
Please share this information and help keep these cases alive. Someone knows something, and with your help, justice may finally be served. ️
