01/10/2024
SUWANNEE VALLEY UNSOLVED TO ASSIST BAKER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN DECADES-OLD COLD CASE.
Macclenny, FL- On Friday, January 5th, 2024, Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. Executive Director Jason Futch and Board Treasurer Randy Roberts traveled to Macclenny, Florida to speak with investigators regarding a decade’s old homicide with Columbia County ties from 1991.
Speaking with Lieutenant David Mancini of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and his team of investigators, Futch and Roberts were able to discuss their interest in the cold case of Kathy Barnaik, a 24-year-old woman from Jacksonville, FL who was found deceased in a duffle bag in 1993; 18 months after being reported missing in Jacksonville.
Due to Barnaik’s last known whereabouts, Lake City and Columbia County, Executive Director Futch was interested in assisting BCSO with resources that Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. could offer. Using his prior experience as an investigator with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office from 1981-2001, Treasurer Roberts used his knowledge of the area at the time to attempt to identify areas where Barnaik was last seen in 1991.
“We are confident that we can offer assistance to the Baker County Sheriff's Office,” stated Executive Director Futch, “As we were able to review what was done in the past 30 years, we believe that the Barnaik case can be solvable. And with the added help of attempting to tie loose ends on the Columbia County side, I am confident we can be of help.”
Barnaik was last seen in December 1991 at a truck stop in Columbia County. She had reached out to her stepfather trying to get a ride back to Jacksonville after a job she took fell through. After declining to pick his stepdaughter up, Barnaik’s stepfather stated to investigators at the time that she informed him two truck drivers were going to take her back to Jacksonville. She did not provide a description of the drivers or their truck.
After not hearing from Barnaik for a while, the family reported her missing to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in 1992.
In July of 1993, two men were fishing under a bridge on Interstate 10 in Baker County when their dog alerted to a duffle bag nearby. Inside contained decomposed human remains.
Though the Medical Examiner’s Office was able to identify Barnaik, they could not identify how she may have died.
The case was handled by BCSO and interviews were held with numerous individuals including the employer that had hired Barnaik in Lake City. He stated the last time that he saw Barnaik was when he dropped her off on the side of the road near the truck stop she called home from in December 1991. The man that hired her has since passed away and is currently not considered a suspect in the case.
Since reopening the case, Lt. Mancini has remained vigilant in solving her case. He has made efforts to have the evidence analyzed for possible DNA and has reviewed countless cases across the country for similarities in hopes of linking this investigation to one or more known offenders.
“I am grateful for the assistance offered by Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. and for the work they do across the region,” Lt. Mancini said, “With a fresh set of eyes, ideas and years of experience to the profession as well as to the area that Barnaik was last believed to be alive, I am hopeful that a successful resolution can be brought to this investigation.”
If you have any information regarding Kathy Barnaik’s homicide, please contact Lt. Mancini at 904-259-2861. To report a tip and remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099. You will remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000. You can also dial **TIPS from your mobile phone, which will connect you with a Crime Stoppers operator.
