OCALA, Fla. — A Jacksonville man was taken into custody following allegations that he murdered his 72-year-old girlfriend, a local diner owner, before attempting to disguise her death as an accidental drowning. Michael Rowland, 50, is charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Diane German, whose body was discovered in a swimming pool at her residence on December 28.
Rowland’s actions came to police attention when he dialed 911 early that morning, claiming to have found German unresponsive in her pool. Officers responding to the scene reported that he indicated he had tried to revive her after discovering her in the water. However, authorities soon began to question Rowland’s narrative, noting inconsistencies in his statements as they examined surveillance footage and phone records.
Initially, officers found water in various parts of the home, aligning with Rowland’s story, but a deeper investigation revealed issues with his account. Notably, an empty, wet phone case was located in the garage, while German’s actual phone was discovered in Rowland’s van. He told police that her phone had been submerged, contradicting evidence that showed it had not sustained water damage. Moreover, records indicated that German ceased communication the night before her body was found, coinciding with Rowland’s presence at her home during that critical period.
Further scrutiny of Rowland’s phone produced an alarming detail: a search for how to reset a video surveillance system. This raised additional questions about his knowledge of the home’s security, as investigators noted that German’s phone last pinged near the same time Rowland’s work truck was seen at the property. According to reports, the broken phone was discovered concealed in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, a detail that detectives are considering in their ongoing investigation.
The circumstances surrounding German’s death shifted dramatically following the medical examiner’s findings, which determined that she had been strangled prior to entering the pool. With this ruling, law enforcement dismissed the possibility of accidental drowning, leading them to focus solely on Rowland as the primary suspect. Investigators confirmed that no one else had been in the home during the timeframe under scrutiny, leading to Rowland’s arrest on April 6 in Jacksonville.
German was a well-known figure in Ocala’s restaurant sector, having operated Wolfy’s of Ocala alongside her son, a beloved eatery in the area. Friends and family recalled her as a dedicated member of the community, and her loss sent shockwaves through those who knew her. Reports suggested that tensions had been rising in her relationship with Rowland prior to her death, with allegations of recent arguments and infidelity surfacing.
As of now, Rowland awaits prosecution in Marion County. The nature of second-degree murder charges in Florida means prosecutors won’t need to establish premeditation, while the tampering charge relates to interfering with evidence tied to the case. Authorities have yet to indicate whether further charges will arise as the investigation continues.
The Ocala Police Department has expressed gratitude for the case’s lead detective and the investigative team, emphasizing their commitment to bringing justice for German. “We extend our deepest condolences to Diane German’s family, and we thank Detective Grosso and the staff involved for their dedicated, thorough work on this investigation,” the department stated following Rowland’s arrest.
With Rowland now back in Marion County, the focus shifts to the judicial process. No additional suspects have been named, and updates will likely emerge from forthcoming court proceedings as the case progresses. Investigators are set to keep the community informed as they navigate this tragic situation.