Murder suspect charged in cold case dies in Florida
By: WROC-TV
Updated: November 12, 2007
A Florida man facing charges in the murder of a young girl in Rochester more than 30 years ago has died.
The Sheriff's Department in Monroe County, Florida confirm to News 8 Now James Pressler, 64, complained of chest pains Sunday and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he passed away.
Pressler was charged last month with the rape and strangulation of seven year old Michelle McMurray.
McMurray was found dead in April of 1976 outside her home on Jay Street. Her mother had left to pick up a pack of cigarettes. When she returned home, the little girl was gone.
Pressler lived in the same building as Michelle McMurray. He was originally interviewed by police shortly after the murder.
Recently, police in Florida, where Pressler relocated several years ago, were following him and they recovered a cigarette butt. Police say it was DNA evidence from that cigarette that connected Pressler to the murder.
Pressler was awaiting extradition back to Florida.
