Tammy Fickey. Credit: HCSO
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit has closed the investigation into the murder of Tammy Fickey.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on March 12, 2005, deputies responded to a report of an unresponsive woman found behind 13613 21st Street North. Upon arrival, deputies located Tammy Fickey, 31, deceased. Her death was ruled a homicide.
The initial investigation determined the crime occurred inside a nearby apartment. While a person of interest was identified at the time, investigators did not have sufficient evidence to make an arrest.
In November 2022, nearly 17 years later, cold case detectives reopened the investigation. Detectives re-interviewed both previous and new witnesses and submitted additional evidence for forensic testing. During the renewed investigation, detectives again focused on a familiar suspect: Arthur “Heavy” Debose.
In December 2022, investigators interviewed Debose at RMC Correctional Facility, where he was incarcerated on unrelated drug charges. During that interview, Debose provided conflicting statements and disclosed specific details about the crime that investigators determined would only be known by the person responsible.
After reviewing the case in its entirety, detectives concluded that Arthur Debose, 54, was responsible for the murder of Tammy Fickey.
Before charges could be filed, Debose died of natural causes on June 17, 2024.
The case is officially closed due to the death of the offender. Tammy Fickey’s next of kin has been notified.
“For twenty years, the name Tammy Fickey never left the minds of our investigators, because time does not diminish our responsibility to the victims we serve,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “While the suspect’s death prevents the accountability we pursue in every case, I am incredibly proud of the relentless work of our Cold Case Unit, whose dedication ensured the truth was uncovered and Tammy’s family was not forgotten.”
Republished courtesy of HCSO