Deputies solve 2023 murder case over ‘money dispute’
By Christian Bussiere
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COCOA, Florida (WESH) — After nearly three years, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Cold Case unit was able to solve a case from August 2023.
On April 7, agents from BCSO arrested Tavery Houston, who also goes by the alias “Cookie,” for the murder of Franklin Orwig.
“Our Agents, Analysts, and Crime Scene members worked diligently at getting a violent individual off of our streets and behind bars where he can’t victimize anyone else,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.
The investigation started when the BCSO received a call regarding a shooting at 5500 Burgess Ave. in Cocoa.
When deputies arrived on scene, they located Orwig, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Orwig was quickly transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The manhunt was on, and deputies spoke to witnesses who could only recall a man in a dark mask leaving the area.
The case remained unsolved, and with limited information to work with, BCSO worked to obtain reliable evidence. This work eventually revealed the shooter’s nickname, Cookie.
As the tips came in, investigators conducted interviews to locate the suspect, and they were able to connect with Cookie, subsequently identified as Houston, BCSO said.
This led deputies to question Houston, and when his statement was paired with evidence and interviews collected, they concluded he had killed Orwig.
This arrest also gave insight into the events that unfolded on August 11, 2023.
Investigators said the shooting occurred over a money dispute.
Houston made his first appearance in front of a judge on April 8 in Brevard County.
“I want to thank everyone for a great job on this investigation, as Houston is now behind bars on a no-bond status for 1st degree premeditated murder,” Sheriff Ivey said.
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