text: Investigators have publicly stated however there was no evidence to suggest one person was behind all the murders, and other evidence that has been collected over the years has since ruled out this theory.
  Identification and arrest
  DNA collected from Daytona Beach Killer victims was run through a genetic database used by people trying to find long-lost relatives and a link to Hayes was established. Hayes was put under surveillance and police collected a used cigarette butt surreptitiously that linked him to the killings.
  On September 15, 2019, Palm Beach County officials arrested Hayes, 37, at his West Palm Beach home for the killing of Rachel Bey. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder, and was ordered to be held without bail. DNA found on Bey matched DNA recovered from Gunther and Green, two of the Daytona Beach Killer's victims and ballistics tests connect Hayes to the killing of Patton. Hayes was transferred to Volusia County Jail, where he was charged with three additional counts of first-degree murder.
  Trial
  Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty for Hayes. Hayes's trial began February 11, 2022. On February 22, 2022, Hayes was found guilty in the murders of Laquetta Gunther, Julie Green and Iwana Patton. On March 2, 2022, Hayes was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole. Hayes is now awaiting to be separately tried for the murder of Rachel Bey.