For Immediate Release

November 8, 2016
 
HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Crestview Police Department, US Marshals Service, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency arrested David Russell Holbrook Jr., 42, of Huntsville, Alabama for first degree murder in the 2006 homicide of Melissa Howard. An Okaloosa County Grand Jury indicted Holbrook today.  FDLE and the Crestview Police Department are investigating the case. 
 
Melissa Howard, 33, was found stabbed to death in her Crestview home on January 6, 2006.  An investigation began but evidence obtained in 2006 was insufficient to support an arrest. 
 
In May 2015, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reopened the investigation, along with the Crestview PD and the Office of State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit. Over the past 18 months, agents, investigators, analysts, and attorneys reviewed original and newly obtained evidence using techniques not available in 2006. 
 
Holbrook Jr. was arrested at his home in Huntsville, Alabama today and booked into the Madison County Jail in Huntsville.  He will be extradited back to Okaloosa County.
 
The investigation remains active.  Anyone with information is asked to contact FDLE Pensacola at 800-226-8574.
 
The State Attorney’s Office, 1st Judicial Circuit is prosecuting this case. 
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Molly Best or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001