David Nelson Austin, 65, has been found guilty of the 1985 Christmas Eve rape and murder of Leslie McCray, a 17-year-old Jacksonville girl and University of North Florida student whose brutal killing went unsolved for decades. Judge Meredith Charbula found Austin guilty as charged on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after he waived his right to a jury and left the decision to the judge, according to the Florida Times-Union.
TL;DR: Leslie McCray, 17, was abducted from her Jacksonville apartment on Christmas Eve 1985, raped, beaten, and stabbed, her nude body left twisted in a ditch miles away. Advances in DNA technology and the work of the nonprofit Project: Cold Case led to the 2021 arrest of David Nelson Austin, 65, who was already serving two life sentences in Michigan for 1988 sexual batteries. On Oct. 22, a judge found him guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of armed kidnapping, and one count of armed sexual battery.
Christmas Eve, 1985
On Christmas Eve 1985, Leslie McCray — 17 years old and a student at the University of North Florida — was abducted from her apartment. She was raped, beaten, and stabbed, and her nude, twisted body was left in a ditch a few miles away.
In the months and years that followed, there were suspicions about who could have committed the crime, including her boyfriend, who was also a co-worker at Sliders Oyster Bar. But the investigation stalled, and the case went cold — staying that way for decades.
DNA and Diligence Break the Case Open
Decades later, advances in DNA technology gave investigators a new tool. Combined with the diligence of detectives and the Jacksonville-based nonprofit Project: Cold Case, newly submitted DNA evidence led to the 2021 arrest of David Nelson Austin.
Austin, 65, was already behind bars — serving two life sentences in Michigan for multiple sexual batteries committed in 1988. The DNA tied him to the 1985 murder of McCray, and prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, two counts of armed kidnapping, and one count of armed sexual battery.
At trial, Austin’s attorney offered an explanation for the DNA evidence: Austin had previously lived in the same duplex as McCray, and that is how his DNA emerged. The DNA was the sole piece of evidence behind the charges. The argument did not persuade the court.
Guilty as Charged
Austin waived his right to a jury trial, leaving the verdict in the hands of Judge Meredith Charbula. On Thursday, October 22, she found him guilty as charged on all counts: first-degree murder, two counts of armed kidnapping, and one count of armed sexual battery.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
A Family’s Long Wait for Justice
For Leslie McCray’s family, the verdict ends a wait of more than 40 years. The family’s spokesperson and cousin, Joey Bray, said justice has been done and that it has been a long time coming.
Bray said that when the judge announced guilty on the first count of murder, she wanted to “jump up and yell hallelujah,” but knew she shouldn’t. She said Christmas is always a difficult time for the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Leslie McCray?
Leslie McCray was a 17-year-old Jacksonville girl and a student at the University of North Florida. She was abducted from her apartment on Christmas Eve 1985, then raped, beaten, and stabbed. Her nude body was left in a ditch a few miles away.
Who was convicted of her murder?
David Nelson Austin, 65, was found guilty on October 22, 2026, of first-degree murder, two counts of armed kidnapping, and one count of armed sexual battery in McCray’s death.
How was Austin caught?
Advances in DNA technology, combined with the work of investigators and the Jacksonville-based nonprofit Project: Cold Case, led to newly submitted DNA evidence and Austin’s arrest in 2021. He was already serving two life sentences in Michigan for multiple sexual batteries committed in 1988.
Was the case a jury trial?
No. Austin waived his right to a jury, and Judge Meredith Charbula decided the case, finding him guilty as charged on all counts.
What was the defense’s argument about the DNA?
Austin’s attorney explained that Austin had previously lived in the same duplex as McCray and that this is how his DNA emerged. The DNA was the sole piece of evidence behind the charges. The court found Austin guilty despite that explanation.
Who were the early suspects?
There were suspicions about who could have murdered McCray, including her boyfriend, who was also a co-worker at Sliders Oyster Bar. The case went cold for decades before DNA evidence led to Austin.
When will Austin be sentenced?
He will be sentenced at a later date. No sentencing date was given in the reporting.
What did McCray’s family say after the verdict?
The family’s spokesperson and cousin, Joey Bray, said justice has been done and it has been a long time coming. She said she wanted to “jump up and yell hallelujah” when the judge announced the first guilty verdict, and that Christmas is always a difficult time for the family. The family praised Project: Cold Case, saying none of this would have happened without them.
What is Project: Cold Case?
Project: Cold Case is a Jacksonville-based nonprofit whose work helped bring new attention and evidence to McCray’s case. The family credited the organization with making the conviction possible.
