In October of 2004, a brutal murder took the lives of four. He was estimated to be between 25 and 40 years old, was approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighed between 140 and 150 pounds. He was found wearing a blue polo shirt with an Exxon logo on the sleeve, blue jeans, a brown/black belt with a silver buckle, and blue sneakers. She was also wearing a square or rectangular pendent necklace with a smokey blue or brown stone. The tattoos were described to be of poor quality. She had red/dark auburn hair, and had evidence of previously healed fractures to her ribs, breastbone, and toe area. [46], On April 28, 2007, the body of a middle aged Hispanic man was discovered by a group of community service workers, found floating in Double Bayou in Anahuac, Texas. He was described as having a medium build. Callers can remain anonymous. The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the man's identification in May, 2019. While we dont know exactly how many Harris County murders have been committed in recent years, archived annual Uniform Crime Reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation can shed some light on some accurate statistics. Here are 7 of the most disturbing, bewildering unsolved mysteries in Texas: 1) The murder of Amber Hagerman Dee Ashley/Flickr Perhaps one of the most well-known, frustrating cases ever in Texas, the murder of Amber Hagerman gained worldwide attention and even prompted officials to create Amber alerts for missing persons. For the victim found in Oklahoma in 1980, see Lime Lady. A truck driver had seen her body on the north bound side of highway 45 about a mile north of The Hitchin Post truck stop. The little girl left her house in Cardiff, Wales, and was never seen alive again. The Phantom Killer, an unidentified serial killer, was responsible for what news media call the Texarkana Moonlight Murders committed in the spring of 1946. This indicates that around 5 persons per 100,000 inhabitants in Texas were killed in 2019. The woman, along with her boyfriend, has never been identified. Man charged in 66-year-old man's cold case murder, Galveston PD says. [51][53], Others articles of the Topic Texas:Killer Ds, Anna Nicole Smith, Texas Eleven, ZZ Top equipment, Juan Nepomenco Flores, List of United States representatives from Texas, List of Farm to Market Roads in South Texas. With equity for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved victims not prioritized in the true crime communitytogether we can do better. Best Hotels & Resorts in Texas: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, Chow Down On A Chicken-Fried Steak, Then Treat Yourself To A Slice Of Homemade Pie At New York Hill In Texas, This BBQ And Wine Bus Tour Is Heaven For Texas Foodies And Oenophiles Alike, The Unique Hike In Texas Where You Can Camp Right Along The Trail, This Disturbing Town In Texas Is So Creepy It Inspired A Movie, These 7 Famous Homicides In Texas Will Never Be Forgotten, The 10 Weirdest And Strangest Things That Have Ever Happened In Texas, The Mystery Of The Texas Killing Fields Will Baffle And Terrify You, Dallas True Crime Walking Tours in Dallas. If youre a true crime buff, buckle up, its going to be a bumpy, creepy, and exciting ride. A list of unsolved murders in Britain including some missing persons and uncertain cases. South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas, List of unidentified murder victims in the United States, List of United States representatives from Texas, List of Farm to Market Roads in South Texas, "Cold Cases Go Online, with Respect for Victims", "Is Bobby French the Last Unidentified Victim of Serial Killer Dean Corll? If you live in Washington, D.C., barely 1 of 3 homicides have been solved. An autopsy confirmed she had been held alive for two days, and during that time she had been sexually assaulted. His DNA matched the biological evidence found at the crime scene of Krystal Jean Baker, who was just 13 years old when she disappeared from a Texas City convenience store in 1996. The cases of unidentified victims within this article are those of individuals discovered in Texas. HPD Incident #R-52387-80. He had short, curly, brown hair. Paramount/Getty Images. 10 Carol Ann Stephens. That's the most bone chilling part of all. [36] She was estimated to be between 17 and 30 years old, was approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 111 pounds. New DNA testing may ID severed head found at Lake Houston. These lists of unsolved murders include notable cases where victims were murdered in unknown circumstances. On February 16, 1982, the decomposed and nude remains of a small, young, African American female were discovered on a dirt road in the desert, just outside of Plainview, Texas. If you have any information on these open cases, please call the Violent Crimes Unit at 865-215-7317 or send an email to unsolvedmurder@knoxvilletn.gov. Kathryn Elaine . Examination revealed that she had had a large amount of dental work as well as a previous open heart surgery. [42], On September 17, 1990, the body of a middle aged white/Hispanic man was found about five miles north of Roscoe, Texas, and about a mile north of Interstate 20 in rural Nolan County, Texas. Cause of death could not be determined, however investigators are treating the case as a homicide. She was described as wearing a yellow pullover sweater and red heeled sandals. UNSOLVED MURDERS / OPEN CASES Tilley said police have arrested the Red-haired Burglar. Residents of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, recall their baffling, terrifying experiences with a UFO on the . While he was arrested for car theft, he was never convicted of murder. We never know,. Photographs were taken of the bones prior to her burial, though. Her height was estimated to be four feet ten to five feet two inches tall and her weight at about 95 to 120 pounds. Put your inner sleuth to work and dig into the true crime mysteries of Texas with these resources. Berkshires UFO 39m. The decedent was dressed in pink pants, a gray shirt, and a black belt with spikes. Type above and press Enter to search. Some unsolved central Texas murders also found within these lists and databases, as well as on Uncovered.com, include the 1992 murder of Toni Ann Ackerman, the 1983 murder of Charles Bates, the 1982 murder of Ruth Bettis, the 1981 murder of Carol Joyce Deleon, the 2016 murder of Terri Missy Bevers, and the 2009 murder of Maria Alcantar, along with the 2013 unsolved disappearance of Brandon Lawson. Investigators believe that the man may have come from Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, or Tennessee, and may have used the names Thomas Jeffery, Jeffery Taylor, or Joseph Taylor, in order to gain food and medical care. After her body remained unidentified, she was buried in an unmarked grave in a potter's field. Investigators believe that her body was stored in a closet for a few years before moving the body to the location. Sharon Shepherd in her Missouri City, Texas home on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. He was found wearing a watch, a bracelet, and two rubber rings. Her disappearance drew huge search efforts from police and residents alike. Investigators believe that the skull belonged to the unidentified woman, however when DNA testing was done on the skull in 2015, it was determined that it belonged to a different person. The man was estimated to be between 20 and 39 years old, was approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighed between 120 and 140 pounds. The couple's sex organs had been found in a sewer outside the house, and some of the body parts were never recovered. Investigators determined that a claw hammer was used to beat Fred to death, and both his eyes had been gouged out. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . A 28-year-old North Dallas cocktail waitress, Carolyn Montgomery was killed with kitchen knives and found dead on her living room floor with a larger knife . Other well-known Texas serial killers include Genene Jones, who murdered at least 46 infants and children, and The Phantom Killer, who remains unidentified and who killed at least 5 people in Texarkana, Texas, in 1946. August 1 . She was also found wearing a white blouse with a black and white checkered trim and "Classic Wear" printed on the left pocket, a pair of blue jeans, a pair of white tube socks, a pair of white 'Aerobixx-Traxx' brand hi-top sneakers, and a white 'Sergio Valente Quartz' brand watch with a blue plastic band. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at (877) 373-8477. There were a few drops of blood found near the attic door, and a bloody keyhole caused even more suspicion, but they didn't find Charles inside. On December 11, 1972, a rancher in Johnson County, Texas, was investigating an area where buzzards were circling, when he discovered the nude body of a young, white male. The cover of "Facing September," a murder mystery based on the case of Kelly Lynn Albright's murder. He was exhumed in 2015 in order to analyze his DNA and make a forensic reconstruction. She was between five feet and five feet two inches, and weighed approximately 120 to 140 pounds. Her body was discovered alongside that of a man who was identified as Thomas Rodriguez, and her death had occurred hours prior to her discovery. Stop, kids On January 13, 1996, the nine year old was riding her bicycle to an abandoned grocery store in Arlington with her five year old brother, but he went home while she stayed behind for a while. We believe the more resources we can provide to digital volunteers and citizen solvers mean more citizen detective communities. [16], On October 29, 1981, the partial skeletal remains of a teenage, white female were discovered by a TxDOT worker on Farm Route 244 in Grimes County, Texas, just south of Iola. On June 6, 1972, it was neither. She was estimated to be between 12 and 16 years old, was approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 90 and 100 pounds. We remain committed to your safety and sense of safety. The murder of Jennifer Servo. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. If you are someone who is interested in true crime, you might be a little more interested in unsolved crimes in addition to solved crimes, several of which may be included in the the list of all murders in Texas, list of Texas murders, or even list of murders in Texas. He was soon buried in a pauper's grave in Rose Hill Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas. On 7 April 1959, 6-year-old Carol Ann Stephens ran up to her mother, Mavis, and happily told her she was going outside to play. Her boyfriend Andy was found tied to a tree with his throat also slashed. It is unknown how both victims were placed at the scene. She was between 18 and 25, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall. In 2021, only 51% of homicides were solved, according to FBI statistics analyzed by the Murder Accountability Project.The country is seeing a continued decline in cleared cases compared to previous decades when the rate was closer to 70%. The families of the three men, one of whom was a teen, continue to wait for answers . These items were found near his body. This decedent had black hair and blue eyes, and was found wearing a pair of brown cowboy boots, gray socks, and gray jeans. Despite the gruesome murders, not a drop of blood was found in the house. The Orchard Apartment Murders On July 27, 1979, one of Alys Rankin's coworkers went to pick her up from her Orchard Apartments home in southwest Houston. She had been dead from anywhere between a few days to over a week. Her remains were exhumed in 2006 for analysis, however the maxilla and jaw bone were not found in the grave. There's no way to track or locate the killer. BEAUMONT, Texas Beaumont Police have solved all but three of the city's 18 murders that happened in 2019. Until the evening of September 6, 1991. [17]. On November 18, 2001, a newborn female infant of indeterminate race was found by a man picking up cans in Johnson County, Texas. A movie and book have even been created about the grisly murders, and the 2014 book "The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders" by james Presley points to a man named Youell Swinney as the killer. He had receding dark brown hair with gray roots and brown eyes. He was found wearing a Land's End brand short sleeve, pullover, knit shirt with a white stripe, a Brigade brand plaid, flannel, long sleeve shirt, a pair of blue bikini briefs, Lee brand jeans with a laundry mark reading, "L.P. Brennan 50118", a pair of dark socks, a worn, silver ring with flat blue and red stones and a Kronotron brand gold watch, without the band. 2 Dorothy Louise . Read More Aug 22, 2020 1992 Natasha Atchley White Female If youve ever gone through any type of serial killer list, you most likely have come across one of several Texas serial killers without even recognizing their names. A motive for the young woman's murder eluded . Pastor John Osteen's daughter Lisa opened the package, leaving her with third degree burns and cuts to her abdomen and legs after the bomb exploded. He was estimated to be between 20 and 35 years old, was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed between 130 and 140 pounds. Tamika Dianroch. She was soon identified as Amanda Clairmont, a 21-year-old well-liked University of North Texas student. He had been stabbed to death. A heart tattoo containing a scroll was on one arm, and their fingernails had been painted gold at one point. As of the 2019 census, the total population of Harris County, Texas, was over 4.77 million, making it the most populous county in the entire state of Texas. Irasema Rosa Ch. He had three tattoos: one of a small devil with a painted tail on his lower left arm, one on his upper left arm with the word "Liz", and one of a flower design and "Baby Dawn" on his right arm. In most of these cases, the murders remain unsolved. Arson Auto Maxx Arson and Burglary The killer still runs free today, but police say they will never give up on her case. Here are 7 of the most disturbing, bewildering unsolved mysteries in Texas: So, will you be sleeping with one eye open tonight? He wore a motorcyclist's jacket and a white and gray striped shirt, along with corduroy jeans, loafers, and a belt with a multi-colored buckle. Of course, authorities continue to investigate the states unsolved murders using every resource or tool available to them. Texas is a mysterious place. A scene from Jack The Ripper, 1959. If you have information on one of these cases and wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers and you could be eligible for a cash reward. Disappeared with no trace until their bodies were found murdered and dumped in fields and marshlands. Veronica Ann Ta. 2017 . The next day, they were found brutally murdered in a desolate, undeveloped wooded area in West Houston that was popularly known as "Lover's Lane" since many couples ventured there for alone time. A suspect was charged but was acquitted after a trial at the Old Bailey. As in any other state, the Houston murders discussion continues tirelessly on various social media platforms, presumably until all of the states murders are solved. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Sharon Derrick has stated she has reason to believe this victim may be named Bobby French, adding she has received an anonymous package containing a series of photographs potentially depicting this individual taken shortly before his murder.[11]. 01/16/2020. Only one of the brutal murders was ever solved when Louisiana police arrested Kevin Edison Smith in 2009 on drug charges. According to the same data, the homicide rate in Texaswas sitting at approximately4.9 per 100,000 people in 2019. There are approximately 19,207 unsolved homicides in the state of Texas. Of the thousands of people murdered each year in the United States, many decedents remain unidentified. [9] DNA testing conducted in 2008 did not match any missing person report. She was found to be wearing braces. Investigators deemed the infant's death a homicide, as it was found that she had been born alive. On August 23, 1990, 22 year old Cheryl Henry and her 21 year old boyfriend Andy Atkinson went out for the night, never to return. She was estimated to be between 19 and 21 years old, was between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 95 and 105 pounds. On June 23, 1965, police got a call from a man named Marvin, the nephew of Edwina Rogers, who was one of the victims in the crime. If you are interested in the true crime genre, you may also have an interest in serial killers. [39] The victim wore black pants, socks and shoes as well as a white bra, panties and a pullover. [37], Approximately eight to ten hours after her death, a Hispanic female was located on Westheimer Street, in Houston, Harris County, Texas on December 29, 1989. Search. Multiple items were stolen, including firearms. This has led to his nickname, "White Socks". into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. At least eight states saw their murder rates rise by 40% or more last year, with the largest percentage increases in Montana (+84%), South Dakota (+81%), Delaware (+62%) and Kentucky (+61%), according to the CDC. Cheryl was killed first, which meant Andy had to look on helplessly and hear Cheryl scream in agonizing terror. Investigators believe he had been killed elsewhere and deposited at the location. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images Including murder victims and individuals whose death is via natural causes or accident, approximately 40,000 decedents remain unidentified in the United States.[1]. The most common types of evidence shown in Harris County homicide trials include DNA evidence, trace evidence, biological evidence, and even Harris County murders crime scene photos, depending on the type of crime. In summary, there were a staggering 86,484 homicides in Texas from 1980 to 2019. If you have any information about an unsolved case please contact the Tampa Police Department Unsolved Homicides Unit at (813) 898-1435 . Suspicious deaths, missing children, encounters with spirits and other true-life tales unfold in a new collection of unsolved mysteries. Similar to the Amber case, this is a killer who knew the area well enough to know that this spot was frequented by couples. [47]. [45], On December 12, 2002, a survey crew discovered seven garbage bags full of various body parts in a construction site in Irving, Texas. The infant had recently died, and most likely was not born in a hospital. The couple's car was still at the scene, but their bodies were found in the woods nearby. Baby John Doe O. June Murlene Mo. On October 25, 1992, police officers found the body of a Hispanic male outside of a club in Fort Worth, Texas. He had dark brown hair and a possible case of mild spina bifida. New Orleans has a murder rate of about 37 per 100,000 residents, one of the highest of any U.S. city, followed by Baton Rouge with a murder rate of 35.1. In a letter written to police in 1998, a convicted murderer named Edward Howard Bell claimed to have murdered 11 girls in Galveston County, and although he was a suspect in the case, police didn't have enough evidence to press charges against him. Welcome to Unsolved Murders. Frederick Earl . Carolyn Montgomery. . In addition to the reports that you can find on these websites, the Texas Rangers unsolved homicides website also has a complete list of unsolved murders that have been committed in Texas. He had been shot to death and had been dead for about a week. Henry Lee Lucas claimed to have been responsible for the murder, however his confession is not considered to be plausible. On April 3, 1970, the partial remains of a young white male were discovered in a drainage culvert in Hewitt, Texas. He is currently slated for another extraction. Chicago had 771 . Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. Prior to. The necklace was found on the body and the shoes were nearby but none of her clothing was located. Here are 9 current serial killers who are still at large. They approached the suspicious car and discovered the body of a woman, riddled with gunshot wounds. [2], A white or Hispanic male between 15 and 18 years old was found buried in a Harris County boat shed in August 1973. They didn't find that particularly unusual; however, just as one of the officers was about to close the door, he saw two heads staring back at him from the vegetable bin, which were that of Fred and Edwina Rogers. Four days later, a man walking his dog found Amber's body at the bottom of a creek bed in Arlington. This is one of the most baffling, strange cases in Houston's and even Texas's history. Cause of death was not determined, but is believed to be a homicide, as she was found with her hands bound behind her back. Investigators believe that the bags were brought to the location by dogs. 9 of the Most Bizarre Unsolved Mysteries in Texas. She was found wrapped in a large plastic bag with a rag commonly used by mechanics inside, as well. Some of the unsolved murders in Houston, Texas, include the 1980 double murder of Andrew and Estella Salinas, the 1974 murder of Edward Edd Williams, the 2000 murder of Kenisha Shavonne Dixon, the 1997 murder of Erica Ann Garcia, and the 2019 murder of Elizabeth Barraza, which can also be found on the Uncovered website. Other distinctive details regarding this decedent include two sets of distinctive earrings she had worn which contained beads and shells, a tattoo of the letter 'V' on her upper left arm, and a scar resulting from her gallbladder being removed. The woman wore a white gold ring, a striped blue short skirt, and a flannel jacket, which was also striped. Perhaps one of the most well-known, frustrating cases ever in Texas, the murder of Amber Hagerman gained worldwide attention and even prompted officials to create Amber alerts for missing persons. He was found wearing a pair of blue Levi brand jeans, a brown short sleeve sports style shirt with a tag having the name "Wilson" written on it, and an earring of unknown description. The BTK Killer's crimes began on January 15, 1974 when four members of the Otero family were murdered in Wichita, Kansas. Doris Gleason's suspicious death in 2016 was instantly attributed to natural causes. Since the 1970s, more than 30 young women and children have been found dumped along this remote stretch of highway, and some have been found in a 25 acre patch of land a mile from I-45 that has been dubbed "The Killing Fields." He was estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old, was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed between 150 and 165 pounds. In 2013, his body was exhumed for DNA analysis. Residual pink/red nail polish was found on her hands, and there was evidence that she was a nail-biter. The 1993 murder of Kimberly Groseclose, the 1993 murder of Stephane Henderson, the 1990 murder of Derrick Jackson, the 1987 murder of Martha McGraw, and the 1996 murder of Evangelina Angie Cruz are just a few examples of some of the unsolved murders in northern Texas which you can find on the websites of several local and statewide law enforcement organizations, as well as within the database being built by Project: Cold Case. Real stories of Texas murders at The Criminal Journal, which is a true crime website that provides info on solved and unsolved murder cases. Nancy Khan: Case of the wife who murdered her husband, Ali Khan, after he threatened to leave her, James Cosby: Case of the father who murdered his daughter, Britney Cosby, and her girlfriend, Crystal Jackson, Antonio Cochran: Case of the man who murdered 18-year-old Zoe Hastings, then left her body in a creek, Ryan Antonio Matthews: Case of the boyfriend who murdered his 16-year-old girlfriend, Arrijana Hill, while she was pregnant with twins, Lena Howard: 32-Year-Old Woman Murdered, Body Found Under BridgeKiller Still At Large, Jennifer Delgado: 8-Year-Old Girl Murdered While Helping Her Mother Wash Clothes At A LaundromatKiller Still At Large, Angela Samota: 20-Year-Old College Student Murdered, Body Found Inside Off-Campus Apartment, Margaret Maxwell: 27-Year-Old Woman Murdered, Body Found On The Side Of The RoadwayKiller Still At Large, Lesia Michelle Jackson: 12-Year-Old Girl Murdered, Body Found In Wooded AreaKiller Still At Large, Kody Lott: Case of the man who said he consulted with the devil before he murdered 13-year-old Lauren Landavazo. Texas Rangers Unsolved Homicide Website Texas Rangers Top 12 Cold Case Investigations Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. But murders rose twice as quickly by 30%. [22][23] The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identifying the body in January, 2020. Peter Akintola- 2017-537981. MURDER: On the day of her murder, 28-year-old Patricia Eve Gaugler was travelling from her hometown of Pottstown, Pennsylvania to her brother's home in Richmond, Virginia. The case remains unsolved due to the homophobia of the. The FBI Uniform Crime Report, in addition to the reports frequently released by the Texas Rangers, are perfect resources for studying exactly what types of crime in Texas take place across the state, as well as showing crime rates for each area. The most damning admission of an ageist and uncaring system came from Jeffrey Barnard, M.D., medical examiner for Dallas County. The progress made is largely due to advances in forensic technology, as well as the efforts and perseverance of law enforcement agencies even in the most difficult unsolved cases. Alkhenala Al-Fatah - March 9, 2020; 1200 block of Barnaby Terrace, SE. Up to 14 gay men were believed to have been murdered by "The Doodler" in the mid-'70s. The 1996 murder of Amber Hagerman, the 2016 murder of Terri Missy Bevers, the 1991 murders of Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, and Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, also known as the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, and the 2019 murder of Elizabeth Barrazaare examples of famous Texas murders. Where can I learn more about crime in Texas? But what we can gather from the confession and then conviction from two different criminals is that there may have been many killers involved in this case. 2018. The man was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old, was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighed 128 pounds. We are currently updating this page with information. When authorities responded, they found the decomposed body of a young white male. Jack the Ripper terrorized London. The man had been deceased for anywhere between five and six months. He had a healed injury to his nose and he was likely of muscular build, with a height between 5'2" and 5'5". Love Texas? 1982 cold case reopens after 18-year-old murder victim identified . After the fire had been put out, firefighters found the charred bodies of Amy Ayers, Jennifer Harbison, her sister Sarah, and Eliza Thomas. With a mailed bomb it's impossible to know who the killer really was. Just 62% of murders and 33% of rapes are solved A NYPD officer stands guard on 5th Avenue at Trump Tower during a protest against police brutality and racial inequality in the aftermath over the death of George Floyd on June 12, 2020 in New York City. Project: Cold Case, Murder Accountability Project, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Texas Rangers are excellent sources for learning more about crimes in Texas, particularly Texass crime statistics. New York City recorded about 500 homicides in 2020, compared with 319 in 2019, but both figures were far below the city's worst year, 1990, when there were more than 2,200. About 1 of every 2 murders was solved. The Long Island Serial Killer One New York serial killer has been plying his grisly trade for over twenty years now, killing at least ten victims between 1996 and 2010, and possibly more we haven't yet discovered. However, as Alexa Doiron of Williamsburg Yorktown Daily reported on October 2019, the situation might be about to change. Most states saw their murder rates go up between 2019 and 2020.