James Rowe, 60, and his roommates, married couple John and Nancy Spivey, 33 and 37 respectively, spent their last night alive, January 9th, 1991, hosting friends for drinks and card games at their apartment in St. Petersburg, Florida. The three were found bludgeoned to death the following morning. After 31 years, their killer — or killers — continues to elude investigators, with just a handful of tips having come in over years.
Courtesy of Florida Association of Crime Stoppers
Episode Info
If you think you know anything about the January 1991 murders of James Rowe and John and Nancy Spivey you can reach St. Pete Detective Wallace Pavelski directly at 727-893-4823. You can also submit a tip or information anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County, which is offering a cash reward up to $3,000, at 1-800-873-8477.
Approximate area of where John, Nancy, and James' apartment used to stand. Photo Source: audiochuck staff
A news article about the triple homicide printed in the Tampa Bay Times (formerly known as St. Petersburg Times) newspaper on January 11th, 1991. St. Pete police quickly ruled out robbery or theft as motive in the murders after identifying numerous objects of value left behind in the apartment. The headline declaring the three were shot to death was incorrect. Source: Archives/Tampa Bay Times
A news article about the triple homicide printed in the Tampa Tribune newspaper on January 12th, 1991. The Tampa Bay area at the time boasted two competing daily newspapers that covered the area. Source: Archives/Tampa Bay Times (Note: source is attributed to the Times which acquired and dismantled the Tribune in 2016) (1 of 2).
A news article about the triple homicide printed in the Tampa Tribune newspaper on January 12th, 1991. The Tampa Bay area at the time boasted two competing daily newspapers that covered the area. Source: Archives/Tampa Bay Times (Note: source is attributed to the Times which acquired and dismantled the Tribune in 2016) (2 of 2).
Under the headline “All bodies aren’t created equal,” late Tampa Bay Times columnist Elija Gosier sounded off on the lack of attention and resources devoted to the killings of John, Nancy and James. The column was published on December 5th, 1992, ahead of the two-year anniversary of the murders. Source: Archives/Tampa Bay Times
A news brief summarizing the autopsy results for John, Nancy and James published in the Tampa Bay Times newspaper on January 12th, 1991. Photo Source: Archives/Tampa Bay Times
An undated photo of John Spivey who was 33 years old when he was stabbed and beaten to death in January 1991. Photo Courtesy: Alana Lester
An undated photo of John Spivey (back-right). Photo Courtesy: Alana Lester
Episode Source Material
- “Will Billboard Solve Cold Case? John and Nancy Spivey, along with friend, James Rowe,” Patch, July 27, 2011. Accessed June 2nd, 2022.
- In-person interview with St. Petersburg Police Detective Wallace Pavelski, June 7th, 2022.
- Phone interview with St. Petersburg resident Jackie Gibson, June 8th, 2022.
- Zoom interview with Alana Lester, June 14th, 2022.