A chilling chapter in a decades-old mystery has come to a close as a Florida man confessed to the murder of Stephen Edenfield, a case that had haunted law enforcement and his family since 1997. On February 1 of that year, Edenfield, then just 37, was discovered brutally stabbed and beaten in his Tampa condo, marked by a violent struggle that left the word “Greed” scrawled on his bedroom wall in blood. The gruesome details of this cold case were so shocking that they remained etched in the memories of many who heard about it, yet for years, the investigation led to no arrests.
- Florida man confesses to 1997 murder.
- Stephen Edenfield found dead in Tampa condo.
- Evidence of struggle, "Greed" written in blood.
- Cold case reopened in 2022 by detectives.
- DNA linked suspect to 2005 assault case.
- Brandon Gliha charged with murder and robbery.
During the chaotic night leading to his death, Edenfield had seemingly gone about his routine—dining with his brother and sister and returning home after a late outing. It was around 12:50 a.m. when he entered the complex, briefly chatting with a security guard after forgetting his entry remote. Little did he know, the moments that followed would seal his fate. Within an hour, neighbors reported hearing disturbances that echoed through the walls like cries for help. A security guard on duty later noticed a shadow near Edenfield’s apartment, but by then, the darkness had swallowed the truth whole.
Edenfield’s brother discovered him the following morning, his lifeless body lying amid the aftermath of a violent altercation. The lack of forced entry raised questions about who could have committed such a crime, and as time passed, it seemed the search for answers may never yield fruit. Nonetheless, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit wasn’t ready to give up on Edenfield’s story.
In 2022, the unit reignited the investigation, collaborating with Othram Labs, a company that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy. Utilizing evidence from the original investigation, the lab meticulously constructed a DNA profile which pointed them toward new leads. It wasn’t until a breakthrough in 2024, linked to an unrelated sexual assault case in Illinois from 2005, that the names began to surface. Brandon Gliha emerged from the shadows, a man with a history now living in Tampa and facing a forgery warrant that had placed him in custody just weeks prior.
With Gliha in their sights, investigators conducted an interview at a police facility where, in a shocking turn of events, he confessed to murdering Edenfield. On the cusp of a 28-year-long wait for justice, the family received confirmation that their loved one’s killer was at last being held accountable. Gliha now faces serious charges: first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon. As of now, he is incarcerated, awaiting further legal proceedings.
While Edenfield’s sister tragically passed away before witnessing this development, his brother was alive to experience this long-awaited moment of relief. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed the profound impact of the confession, saying, “For 28 years, Stephen Edenfield’s family has waited for answers. Today, we can finally give them some measure of peace.” His words encapsulate the sentiment felt not only by the family but the larger community that rallied around the case. The sheriff’s promise of justice, although delayed, offers a glimmer of hope in the face of such enduring pain.
As the case unfolds in court, questions remain—what drove Gliha to commit such a heinous crime? And how might the developments in forensic science shape the future of cold case investigations? For now, one thing is certain: the shadows are slowly lifting from this long-buried mystery, revealing the truth that many have awaited for so long.
