22-061 Detectives Conduct Excavation on a Property in Largo
Cold Case
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Cold Case Unit
- Robbery/Homicide Unit
Support Services Bureau
-Forensic Science Division
Retha Hiers (Missing Person)
DOB: 09/12/1939
Cleveland Hill Jr. (Suspect – Deceased)
DOB: 12/27/1947
PINELLAS COUNTY – Detectives assigned to the Cold Case Unit conducted an excavation at 1201 Gooden Crossing in Largo.
Detectives say they received several tips of possible human remains being buried on the property which was formerly owned by Cleveland Hill Jr. Hill was a suspect in the 1982 disappearance of 43-year-old Retha Hiers. No remains were ever recovered. Hill died in 2018 at 70-years-old and maintained his innocence up until he died.
Detectives began the excavation of the property on June 28, 2022 and completed the excavation on July 6, 2022. According to detectives, no evidence related to the case was located at the scene.
The investigation continues.
