JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WKBW) — Authorities in Chautauqua County shared new information Wednesday regarding the unsolved murder of Yolanda Bindics.
Watch the full press conference below
Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone announced Clarence Carl Carte, the father of Bindics' youngest child, is the sole person of interest in the case.
Investigators said they have conducted 176 interviews over the past two years. During that time, they reviewed the evidence and determined Michael Watson, a former Jamestown Police officer, is no longer considered a person of interest in this case and their focus is now on Carte.
“With Michael Watson being eliminated as a person of interest, the sole remaining person of interest in the Yolanda Bindics murder, the sole remaining person of interest is Clarence Carl Carte,” explained Sheriff Quattrone.
Bindics was reported missing to Jamestown Police after she did not return home from her work shift at the Family Dollar Store on Fluvanna Avenue on August 10, 2004.
Carte is the father of Bindics's youngest child, who was spotted on surveillance video at a Kwik Fill Gas station across the street from the Family Dollar where Bindics worked. It was the last place she was seen in 2004. The sheriff released two new images for the first time to the public.
“The first still photograph shows Carte exiting the store and looking at the direction of the Family Dollar store parking lot. the second still photograph shows the vehicle Carte was driving the night of the murder, passing the front door of the Kwik Fill heading towards the Fluvavana Avenue exit,” described Sheriff Quattrone.
Two years later, on September 10, 2006, the skeletal remains of Bindics were found in Boutwell Hill State Forest in the town of Charlotte. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Watch: One of Bindics' sisters delivered an emotional statement following the press conference
Authorities said there is video evidence that Carte was across the street from the Family Dollar at a convenience store at the time Bindics was leaving work.
“It’s been 20 long, painful years,” remarked Anne Chmielewski, sister of Yolanda Bindics.
Yolanda's sister is making another plea to the public.
“There are people out there who have claimed that ‘so and so’ brags about it, and we need those people to come forward, even if it's anonymously, which we expect, but please — 20 years is long,” Chmielewski noted.
She said she didn't know Carte.
“I’ve learned a lot about him over the years. He's not a very nice person,” Chmielewski noted.
“Has he tried to make any contact because he shared a child with your sister?” Buckley asked. “I've never spoke — well, I don't think I’ve ever spoken to him — me personally,” responded Chmielewski.
The sheriff said he was not able to answer questions about the case and was very vague about Carte.
“I might know where he is OK, yes, but truly it's a speculation,” responded Sheriff Quattrone.
Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at 716-703-5955.
Earlier this year, 7 News spoke with one of Bindics' sisters, Margaret Queen, about a renewed effort for answers and what it meant to the Bindics family. You can watch the full story below.
