PBSO Busts Lake Worth Man for 1987 Shooting/Death of Wife

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PBSO Busts Lake Worth Man for 1987 Shooting/Death of Wife

On July 23, 1987, at 7:45 p.m. deputies of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1614 Osborne Circle, Lake Worth after receiving a 911 call from the homeowner, James O’Neil. James O’Neil reported that his wife, Verna O’Neil had committed suicide. James advised as he and Verna struggled with firearm it accidentally discharged striking Verna in the left side of her face. The Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death as undetermined. The Medical Examiner in 2017 reviewed the case and ruled the case as a homicide.

The case was re-opened in February 2017 by PBSO Cold Case Unit. Additional investigation was conducted which resulted in James O’Neil being charged with Manslaughter with a firearm.

Outstanding work by the PBSO Cold Case Squad!