By Michal Ortner
A former pastor, James Ty Flanders, was arrested on Thursday for his connection with a 2011 cold case. His arrest took place 1,500 miles away from his hometown of Fort Walton Beach in Florida, where he was pastor of Calvary Chapel Emerald Coast.
A Cold Justice Team began working with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department in February to investigate the disappearance of 37-year-old Marie Jane Carlson, who went missing on October 17, 2011. The partnership was created in hopes that they could develop “more information which would lead to a successful resolution.”
Carlson was last seen at Flanders’ home on October 17. She and her newborn child lived with Flanders and his wife. Church members of Calvary Chapel claim that the couple was in a polygamist relationship with Carlson, but it is believed that Carlson was a surrogate for them, since the pastor’s wife could not conceive.
Flanders, who is the father of the child, left the home that evening for a run between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m after having a disagreement with Carlson.
A text message was sent from Carlson’s phone to several people, including Flanders, her ex-husband, and some others. The message did not give any details about her location or where she planned to go. It simply stated that she was going to do something that she had always wanted to do.
When her ex-husband, Jeff Carlson, could not reach his ex-wife, he became concerned and pursued a missing/endangered persons claim to the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Department on October 24, 2011. Jeff Carlson lives in Kentucky with their 8-year-old daughter.
Flanders claimed to have discovered Carlson’s vehicle on October 21 at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport (NFRA). Further investigation into her disappearance determined that she did rent a vehicle or obtain a plane ticket out of the Fort Walton Beach area.
On April 17, the cold case was nationalized when it was featured on the TNT network’s program, “Cold Justice.”
“What we got in April was more than I could have asked for,” said Esta Bridges, one of Carlson’s sisters. “I didn’t know this was coming. This is more than I could have ever imagined.”
As of May 14, Flanders has been held in custody for his alleged link to the disappearance and murder of Carlson. He was arrested without incident in Arizona.
“Thank goodness! Thank God! Hallelujah!” Carlson’s brother, Randy Bridges, said after hearing of Flanders’ arrest. “Finally some relief.”
Watch the chilling “Cold Justice” episode below:
Source 1, 2, 3
