On February 8, 2023, Melanie Beckler was recognized for her dedication and commitment to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Committee. She was presented with a plaque on behalf of Sheriff PJ Tanner, by Bob Bromage, Cold Case Investigator and Director of Public Safety for the Town of Hilton Head Island, commending her contribution to the Cold Case Committee in the investigation of the 1995 murder of Maria Telles-Gonzalez.
Melanie played an integral part in the research that led to the identification of Maria Telles-Gonzalez, whose body was found on the roadside in Yemassee in 1995. She remained unidentified until October 2022.
Melanie dedicated many volunteer hours conducting research on thousands of the unidentified woman’s genetically connected relatives. Her commitment to this project was integral in identifying Maria.
Though no arrests have been made in Maria’s murder, there is focus in the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Committee was established in 2010 to review unsolved murders in Beaufort County. The committee is made up of retired law enforcement and legal professionals from throughout Beaufort County who meet regularly to review unsolved crimes that have taken place in our community. They have provided investigatory review and guidance for more than 35 cold cases since the committee was established.
