Investigators Urgently Seeking Tipster in Julia Curvo Murder Case

Ongoing Investigation into the Homicide of Julia Curvo

The search for the person responsible for the murder of 28-year-old Julia Curvo continues, and law enforcement is now reaching out to an anonymous individual who provided a tip about the case. The Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) recently shared new details regarding the investigation at a press conference in downtown Fort Myers.

Trish Routte, manager for SWFL Crime Stoppers, emphasized the importance of the tipster coming forward. She stated that the organization has made multiple attempts to contact the individual but has been unsuccessful so far. “We’re desperately hoping that the tipster will reach back to us… we need to hear from you because the information you have could be pivotal,” Routte said.

During the press conference, several detectives and police officers were present alongside Curvo’s grandparents and uncle, who held framed photos of her as a way to keep her memory alive.

Last Contact with Julia Curvo

Julia Curvo disappeared after having lunch with her grandmother, Sandra Stephens, on January 13. Curvo was expected to call her grandmother the next day, but the call never came. Despite numerous attempts to reach her, Stephens was unable to get through. No one heard from Curvo again.

“I go to bed thinking about her; I wake up thinking about her,” Stephens said.

One week after their lunch date, on January 21, Curvo was reported missing. After a 10-day search, authorities found her body in a wooded area.

Curvo’s father, Mark Curvo, shared in a Facebook post that when Julia was found, “she was in a wooded area wrapped in a sleeping bag.”

Location of the Crime

Curvo was last seen alive near apartments at 1761 Fowler St., near Second Street in downtown Fort Myers. At the press conference, Captain Gloria Camacho confirmed that this is where her body was discovered.

Homicide Investigation Underway

Since the discovery of Curvo’s body, the Fort Myers Police Department has shared limited information as the investigation has been ongoing for nearly two months. On February 26, the police department officially classified the case as a homicide investigation. However, the medical examiner has not released a cause of death due to the active nature of the investigation.

Tipster Encouraged to Come Forward

Detective Wolfgang Daniel mentioned that the FMPD received an anonymous tip deemed credible by the department. The tipster submitted a mobile tip through SWFL Crime Stoppers on February 27, providing detailed information about the location of possible physical evidence related to Curvo, as well as details about her murder.

“The tipster indicated they were open to speaking with detectives. We want to emphasize we believe this information is credible and it is extremely important that we speak directly with this individual,” Daniel said.

SWFL Crime Stoppers is offering a $9,500 reward for anyone with information that can help authorities make an arrest in Curvo’s homicide.

Impact on Family and Community

Curvo’s disappearance has deeply affected many of her loved ones. “It’s hard, but you still have to get up in the morning, and you still have to do everything that is normal in life,” said Sandra Stephens.

Her grandfather, Robert Stephens, remembers her fondly. “We just want everybody to remember the smiles, the bright face, just the cheery attitude she had for doing everything she did,” he said.

Mark Curvo, Julia’s father, also shared his memories of her. In a previous interview with the News-Press, he described Julia as the “perfect kid.” “She was a lovely young woman. She was the sweetest girl on earth. Everybody thought that she cared more about everybody else than she did herself,” he said.

For the last few years, Julia was battling mental illness, but she remained resilient through it all, he added.

Continued Appeals for Information

Curvo’s family members continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Finding out who was responsible for her death would bring “the beginning of closure,” said Robert Stephens.

The Fort Myers Police Department encourages the community to contact them at 239-321-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) if they have any information or saw Julia Curvo after January 13.