A Lie Borrowed In Someone Else Name : Murder of Anna Mae Florence

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking 1987 murder of Anna Mae Florence—a case that remained unsolved for decades before modern forensic technology finally uncovered the truth. What began as a brutal attack investigation evolved into a complex story involving unreliable witnesses, false identities, overlooked evidence, and the persistence of investigators who refused to let the case disappear.

This case highlights how one piece of evidence—a bloody handprint—ultimately became the key to solving a murder 25 years later.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: a case where the truth remained buried for decades
00:28 – The attack on Anna Mae Florence and the initial police response
01:11 – Anna Mae’s life and background in Columbus, Ohio
02:13 – The violent attack: 14 stab wounds and her final moments
03:32 – Crime scene analysis and evidence of a struggle
04:54 – Discovery of the blood-stained purse and bloody handprint
05:45 – Fingerprint analysis limitations in 1987
06:32 – Witness descriptions and the original suspect sketch
07:48 – Investigators explore theories of robbery and overkill
08:58 – Reports of a frantic woman asking strangers for help
09:54 – Early suspects, including a teenage girl and local residents
11:25 – The tip involving Odell and emerging inconsistencies
12:45 – Odell’s changing stories and sudden disappearance
13:41 – Investigators examine Danita’s alibi and hospital records
14:28 – Discrepancies in records and evidence of deception
15:26 – The plan to use a wire in hopes of gathering more information
16:17 – A major setback when fingerprint evidence fails to match the suspect
17:42 – The case goes cold in 1988 while Anna Mae’s family continues searching for answers
20:01 – The 2012 cold case revival and renewed forensic testing
20:59 – Reinvestigating suspects through modern DNA and fingerprint analysis
26:34 – The shocking identification of Zina Roberson
29:34 – Zina’s arrest, background, and confession
31:09 – Why the bloody handprint became the defining piece of evidence
33:02 – Reflections on trust, vulnerability, and the exploitation of kindness
34:43 – The lasting impact of Anna Mae Florence’s case
35:07 – Closing thoughts, community discussions, and upcoming Murder in the Black projects