Russ Lemmon: Auspicious timing for cross-country trip to Vero Beach

Mike Daley has lived most of his life in California, but he has a close connection to two important figures — one famous, the other infamous — in the history of Vero Beach.

His grandfather, Waldo Sexton, is renowned in these parts for building iconic structures such as the Driftwood Resort and the Ocean Grill.

He's also linked to serial killer David Gore . Thirty-one years ago, Gore killed his wife, Judy Kay Daley.

"Three days before our 18th anniversary," he noted last week.

She was in Vero Beach visiting relatives and friends. Mike was back home in California.

"She and my sister (Bonnie) were really tight," Mike said. "She made a special effort to come and see her."

Kay — that's what Mike called her — was reported missing on July 15, 1981. Her last known location was the beach at Round Island Park.

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