I found a couple of links related to the 1992 murder of Florida man Larry Costine and the disappearance of his girlfriend, Melissa Jo Sermons. As you may recall, UM aired a segment on the case during the 1993-94 season. (On the Doe Network profile of Sermons, it is mentioned that Larry Costine's real full name was Elwin Lawrence Costine, Jr.)

http://www.polksheriff.org/coldcase/050492/lcostine.htm

http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/729dffl.html

So what do we think? Is Melissa Jo Sermons a murderer? Or is she dead too? I think either is possible. Someone could have followed them --- anyone really --- entered the residence, grabbed one of Larry Costine's guns, shot him, taken her off somewhere, did the unspeakable, and killed her.

I could just as easily believe she did it. Hard to say.

I think Melissa's ex killed Larry and probably killed her too. I don't really understand why she was never found. Her ex was the jealous type and had even been spying on her according to her mother so no doubt he wasn't pleased about her relationship with Costine. I would assume he would have to be a suspect in the case but no doubt they don't have enough to arrest him.

I think Melissa's ex killed Larry and probably killed her too. I don't really understand why she was never found. Her ex was the jealous type and had even been spying on her according to her mother so no doubt he wasn't pleased about her relationship with Costine. I would assume he would have to be a suspect in the case but no doubt they don't have enough to arrest him.

Hmmm. The cops in the segment seem pretty sure he wasn't involved. Evidently his alibi was good; it would be nice if they told us what it was. I agree he seems like a likely suspect, but I am thrown by how sure the police seemed that he was no longer a "person of interest" in the case.

Hmm, well I would have thought that the ex-boyfriend was the prime suspect too, except for the alabi of his that apperantly was solid. The thing that struck me about Costine's murder, was that it was personal, it was overkill big time, I mean 4 bullets to the head?

The only thing with Melissa Jo's ex boyfriend is I dont think he would have wanted to harm her and even if he did he wouldnt hide her body I dont think but that is just my opinion. That is what makes me think more that Melissa Jo for whatever reason killed Larry, probably not pre meditated but that something happened and she ended up killing him and she panicked and fled.

Melissa Jo was a good sized woman, muscular, 5 foot 10 weighing 175 pounds she could defend herself. Even though the witnesses that claimed to have seen her behind the wheel of a big rig could have just seen someone they thought looked like her, it also could have been Melissa Jo that they saw.

The biggest thing that makes me think Melissa Jo did it, was no signs of a struggle, the radio was playing in the trailer like everything was fine, also the very unusual hour this all went down, sometime after 4 in the morning, it just makes me think Melissa Jo killed Larry in the heat of passion or something, it was something she probably did without thinking it through and then she panicked because she knew she was probably looking at a charge of 2nd degree murder so she booked. It wouldnt surprise me if she was still alive.

At this point, I'm thinking Melissa Jo Sermons is a murderer. Normally I don't give eyewitness acounts the greatest deal of merit, but when they all come from one type of location (truck stops) it comes off as alot more believable, "hot spots" as someone in the telecenter mentioned. Plus, I'm guessing that Sermon's ex still lived in the area after the murder, and I'm not sure why he would leave Costine in the house but then move Sermons's body.

That is a good point I overlooked wiseguy, about Sermon's ex-boyfriend staying in the area or at least staying in contact with police. Not exactly the actions of an individual with something to hide.

I guess the way the murder was done, it just doesnt make any sense that it was someone other than Melissa Jo Sermons that did the murder. If I remember right, she has been seen over the years at truck stops in Texas, Tennessee and Florida.

I have been through Polk County, Florida, it is bordered on the western side by the Tampa metro area and on the eastern side by the Orlando metro area. Polk county itself is largely a rural county with the exception of the metro area of Lakeland/Winter Haven. Interstate 4 goes right through there though as does Interstate 75 so it wouldnt be difficult for someone to hitch hike their way out of there.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, they should know the actual facts of the case. Don't just assume things based off a TV show.

The police have been unable to talk to Melissa's ex-boyfriend because he has a lawyer. He has not been ruled out as a suspect. Additionally, to answer someone's question about him staying in in the County, the answer is no, he did not stick around. The area in which this occurred is located in a heavily wooded, swamp area.

The police received thousands of tips, as they do with each case they deal with and not all were from truck stops. If Melissa were alive, she would have made contact with someone in her family, don't you think? There has been no contact.


Before you label someone a "murderer," might want to consider family members feelings before you post on the web.

Whoa, well first off, no one here was saying we for sure thought Melissa Jo Sermons was a murderer, we were saying we leaned in that direction. 2nd, since you are persumably a family member or close friend of hers wouldnt that make it so you would never believe she had in fact done it? Also, since you persumably believe that she didnt do it but that the ex-boyfriend did, that would bias your opinion towards him wouldnt it? Personally, if I am proven wrong in my opinions, I will be the first to apologize, but I personally do not believe I am wrong.

Melissa Jo disappeared, she hasnt been seen, no trace of her has been found, they werent able to put the ex boyfriend at the scene, the cop on the show said he had talked to him, so at some point before he had a lawyer, he talked to the cops. It probably got to be, at some point, when the cops couldnt find Melissa, they decided to try to pin the murder on the ex-boyfriend, they were probably jerking him around and he got sick of it so he lawyered up to get them off his back. It is quite common actually.

It makes no sense for the ex-boyfriend to shoot Larry 4 times in the head like that. The ex-boyfriend was mad at Melissa not at Larry, at least that was the impression given from the show. So, if the ex-boyfriend was going to shoot Larry, he probably would have shot him once and that would have been it.

Where as if Melissa shot him, it would have been more of a personal killing, the killing of Larry Costine was overkill, he was shot 4 times in the head which in my opinion signals it is a personal type of killing, the killer was angry and in rage at Larry when they shot him in my opinion. Again, all of this is my opinion, I never met either one and would have never heard of the case were it not for the show, so you have to take my opinions with a grain of salt.

However, while I am sorry for the loss of Melissa, whether she is alive or dead she is no longer a part of your life and that is unfortunate, however if you are getting that bent of shape over what some people that you have never met are posting on an online forum, than it is you that needs to re-evaluate what you are doing, not us.

Whoa, well first off, no one here was saying we for sure thought Melissa Jo Sermons was a murderer, we were saying we leaned in that direction. 2nd, since you are persumably a family member or close friend of hers wouldnt that make it so you would never believe she had in fact done it? Also, since you persumably believe that she didnt do it but that the ex-boyfriend did, that would bias your opinion towards him wouldnt it? Personally, if I am proven wrong in my opinions, I will be the first to apologize, but I personally do not believe I am wrong.

Melissa Jo disappeared, she hasnt been seen, no trace of her has been found, they werent able to put the ex boyfriend at the scene, the cop on the show said he had talked to him, so at some point before he had a lawyer, he talked to the cops. It probably got to be, at some point, when the cops couldnt find Melissa, they decided to try to pin the murder on the ex-boyfriend, they were probably jerking him around and he got sick of it so he lawyered up to get them off his back. It is quite common actually.

It makes no sense for the ex-boyfriend to shoot Larry 4 times in the head like that. The ex-boyfriend was mad at Melissa not at Larry, at least that was the impression given from the show. So, if the ex-boyfriend was going to shoot Larry, he probably would have shot him once and that would have been it.

Where as if Melissa shot him, it would have been more of a personal killing, the killing of Larry Costine was overkill, he was shot 4 times in the head which in my opinion signals it is a personal type of killing, the killer was angry and in rage at Larry when they shot him in my opinion. Again, all of this is my opinion, I never met either one and would have never heard of the case were it not for the show, so you have to take my opinions with a grain of salt.

However, while I am sorry for the loss of Melissa, whether she is alive or dead she is no longer a part of your life and that is unfortunate, however if you are getting that bent of shape over what some people that you have never met are posting on an online forum, than it is you that needs to re-evaluate what you are doing, not us.

Right on, brother!:clap

Let me enlighten you...her ex-boyfriend obtain the lawyer before the bodies were discovered, the police didn't have the opportunity to jerk him around. The detective that was on the show, was removed from the case shortly after. The police have eliminated her as a suspect, they believe she is dead. I am related to the Costine's, but knew all the parties involved in this case, my opinion is based on what the police have told our family as well as her family.

I think it is you that needs to re-evaluate yourself, if you have nothing else better to do than talk about people that you have never met, especially those who are no longer here and cannot defend themselves.

Well, again, I am sorry for your loss, but if you are going to slam me, come up with your own material instead of using what I said to make a comeback with.

If you dont like what I say, or what anyone else says on here, here is a suggestion, dont post on here and dont read what we say! It is really that simple. This is a forum, where we discuss cases according to how they were presented on the show. This forum is full of people's OPINIONS and nothing more.

I will repeat to you, again, that neither I nor anyone else was saying Melissa Jo Sermons for sure shot and killed your relative Larry Costine. Maybe she didnt for all we know, maybe the ex-boyfriend shot Larry and then took Melissa off and killed her at an unknown location and dumped her body? It sure is possible, I never ruled it out, neither did anyone else here for that matter.

However, I and many others have the OPINION that Melissa Jo Sermons for reasons unknown murdered Larry Costine. The reason why I personally came to that conclusion was not just the way Larry was shot as described in the show, but also the fact that Melissa Jo is no where to b e found.

Now if her ex-boyfriend had killed her as you allege, why hide her body? She weighed 175 pounds, not exactly an easy weight to move around. She was according to the show, a muscular woman, 5 foot 10, 175 pounds, surely she could defend herself.

You might say that the ex-boyfriend took Melissa's body and moved it to give the impression she killed Larry and not him. But if that were true, why hasnt her body been found? Chances are it would have been found by now. The boyfriend had an alabi, whereas Melissa Jo has been seen in several states behind the wheel of a big rig.

Like I said, it could be, that the ex-boyfriend did this, of course it is possible, but I happen to not think he did it, but that is just my opinion and nothing more.

Let me enlighten you...her ex-boyfriend obtain the lawyer before the bodies were discovered, the police didn't have the opportunity to jerk him around. The detective that was on the show, was removed from the case shortly after. The police have eliminated her as a suspect, they believe she is dead. I am related to the Costine's, but knew all the parties involved in this case, my opinion is based on what the police have told our family as well as her family.

I think it is you that needs to re-evaluate yourself, if you have nothing else better to do than talk about people that you have never met, especially those who are no longer here and cannot defend themselves.

It will be over soon and your family will have some peace.

It will be over soon and your family will have some peace.


Do you know something we don't? Please enlighten the board!

Almost over. Trust the police. This one will be solved.....and soon.

I get the feeling this is somebody just jerking us around :P

Somebody posted in a thread on here last year that a man dying in jail confessed that he and his brother murdered Larry Costine and Melissa Jo Sermons. I forget what their names were, but the details that this man knew would only be known by the actual murderers so the suspects are in full view the authrorities just need some type of proof. The guy died in prison but his brother (reportedly a park ranger? I believe) is still at-large.

Somebody posted in a thread on here last year that a man dying in jail confessed that he and his brother murdered Larry Costine and Melissa Jo Sermons. I forget what their names were, but the details that this man knew would only be known by the actual murderers so the suspects are in full view the authrorities just need some type of proof. The guy died in prison but his brother (reportedly a park ranger? I believe) is still at-large.

Joe Cerezo did not die in prison but the November after his release. Danny Cerezo (Melissa's Ex boyfriend) is indeed a Park Ranger and is still employed with the State of Florida. Here's Joe's last mug:
http://i52.tinypic.com/10zwape.jpg

Special Agent Tommy Ray, FDLE, has all the facts. The problem lies with the State prosecutor Jerry Hill and another murder conviction in which prosecutorial mis-conduct may have been a part of having the wrong man set up for a death penalty conviction.

In other words, in order to prosecute Melissa Jo's killer, Hill would have to admit wrong doing in the other capital murder case.

Next May will mark 20 years this "unsolved" homicide has been on the books.

Call Tommy and ask him point blank. Or.....call a Det. Ashley (retired) with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Better yet, call Jerry Hill himself.

When you do, tell him I said "I ain't dead yet". They'll know what that means.

Jo was my godmother at the time of this case.... I only hesitate to say at the time of her murder, because I would love to find her alive. However, I knew her like a sister, and I can not believe she is alive. She would have contacted us and let us know she was ok by now. If she had been responsible for Costine's murder she would have told us why she did it long before now! She was an honest and loving person and we have missed her dearly since this murder took place and she would have contacted her mother by now. As she is still missing, she is innocent and a victim! Danny is her killer and I hope that he pays for his crimes! I hate you Danny for destroying her family! Please feel free to contact me with any information about this, as I would love to bring peace to Jo's mother and siblings. They have suffered greatly from her loss! Jo taught me so much about cattle and horses and was a great influence in my life, and she deserved so much better than the hell you condemned her to.

I believe he let his pigs consume her, and that is why she was not found. I was raised until I was 12 by Jo and I met Danny and saw his farm. He made it a point to mention that pigs could eat a body the first time I visited his ranch (with Jo, when they were still dating). I was her god-daughter.

Just a little information, Jo was very tough, her nickname was "Hard", and she was a fighter. If she was attacked she would have fought with all she had. Danny, her ex, had already held his ex-wife hostage before this incident occurred, and as a loved one of Jo, I can not believe she would disappear without a word to her mother. I am sure that Danny and his brother had something to do with this murder and took Jo to Deland where she died. She would have contacted us by now for sure. I wish she were still here but that is not possible, she is dead. Danny is guilty of her murder and Mr. Costine's.

I believe he let his pigs consume her, and that is why she was not found. I was raised until I was 12 by Jo and I met Danny and saw his farm. He made it a point to mention that pigs could eat a body the first time I visited his ranch (with Jo, when they were still dating). I was her god-daughter.

That's awful to even think about. It seems pretty cut and dried to me that her ex is responsible for both murders.

The other thread discussing the Cerezo brothers is here:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=266802

[QUOTE]Special Agent Tommy Ray, FDLE, has all the facts. The problem lies with the State prosecutor Jerry Hill and another murder conviction in which prosecutorial mis-conduct may have been a part of having the wrong man set up for a death penalty conviction.
QUOTE]

Remeber when I said that? Well be sure to watch the Florida papers in the fall of 2013. It is all coming to pass.

Melissa Jo.......I did this for you.

Sad that this horrible case still hasn't been solved. After watching the UM segment and doing some research, I do not believe that MJS killed LC. I believe both were killed by someone else, and for whatever reason LC's body was left in the trailer - while MJS was taken to another location & killed there.

If MJS had killed LC, I feel it's probable that she would have surfaced by now. I do think the alleged sightings by her in several states (after the body of LC was found) were red herrings/false sightings.