A college campus in broad daylight in a town literally called “Niceville” might be one of the last places you’d expect a young collegiate to disappear from, but in March 1973, that’s exactly what happened.
Debra Espey’s case spans more than 50 years, includes a primary suspect from the beginning, and has long been thought to have connection to other unsolved cases in the Florida panhandle. But for all the twists and misdirections, detectives are hopeful they can close this case soon.
Episode Info
If you knew Debra back then and she shared any concerns with you before her murder, detectives want to know. You can contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-8477. You can also submit a tip online HERE. Or, download the P3 Tips Mobile App to submit anonymous tips from a free and secure mobile app.
To apply for a Cold Case Playing Card grant through Season of Justice, please visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Debra Espey was attending Okaloosa-Walton Junior College, now named Northwest Florida State College, when she went missing after attending a morning class. Her body was later found in a shallow grave nearby in an area bordering the Rocky Bayou Country Club on Eglin Air Force Base’s reservation. Courtesy: Photo taken by audiochuck staff

Wooded area where Debra Espey's body was found. Courtesy: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Courtesy: Jeff Davis via Find A Grave website

Theresa Dusevitch’s Deck Card. Courtesy: Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers

Debra Elizabeth Espey. Courtesy: Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Episode Source Material
- Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers: Homicide Victim – Theresa Dusevitch.
- Kingsport Times (Kingsport, TN): FBI Joins Investigation Of Florida Beach Killing via Newspapers.com.
- Northwest Florida Daily News: EDITORIAL: Why wasn’t this murder solved?
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Okaloosa Searches For Coed by News-Journal Bureau via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Searchers Fail to Find Coed by News-Journal Bureau via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Sheriff Draws Web Tight In Okaloosa Girl’s Death by News-Journal Bureau via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Doom… by Bill Dingwall via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Two Years Pass, Coed’s Killer Still at Large by Bill Dingwall via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Arrest of Sergeant ‘Monstrous Mistake’ by Bill Tennis via Newspapers.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Missing Girl via NewspaperArchive.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Body of Missing Girl Found via Newspapers.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Murder cases will be reopened by Tom Conner via NewspaperArchive.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): FDLE: Two ’73 killings merit another look by Tom Conner via NewspaperArchive.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Cyclist’s chilling find opened murder case by Tom Conner via NewspaperArchive.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Cyclist’s chilling find opened murder case by Tom Conner via NewspaperArchive.com.
- The Ledger: DNA Helps Close Old Murder Case In the Panhandle.