In 1984, a high-school friend of mine who had moved to Texas came up missing. Months later her remains were found and foul play was suspected. The case has gone unsolved all these years.
The other day I happened to think of her, and then I thought about all these cold cases you see on TV now, where old evidence is being reprocessed in an effort to solve them.
I searched a bit on the 'net and came across this article. DNA found on another young woman killed in the area matches that of a guy who is already imprisoned. The authorities suspect he may be linked to the murder of several young women, including my friend. She is the first girl in this photo gallery.
It seems weird, after all this time, for it to be possible to find out who killed her. I’ve lived so long with the un-knowing of it.
My daughter is now the same age Cat was back then. Kinda gives me a shiver.
It’s amazing how technological advances like DNA testing can help solve cold cases. Folks that probably thought they were safe after so many years can’t rest now, and that’s a good thing. Let us know if you hear anything else on this case.
I lived in Dallas in the mid 80s and well remember the fear instilled in women throughout the area as the number of violent murders began to mount. It’s hard to believe anyone could be so sick as to perpetrate a crime like this, much less do it over and over again.
I’m so sorry about your friend. The devastation placed on family and friends in addition to the loss of the individual themselves is simply beyond imagination.
[Sniff] I knew one of the girls very well. My social circle was devastated, as my buddy, her bf, was suspected of committing the deed. (No, he didn’t do it.) I’ll have to let him know that the case may be finally solved.
OMG. This guy lived in the Hulen area. Cindy was abducted from close to Hulen Mall, as were three other girls.
I want the son of a bitch fried, and I’ll gladly pull the switch.
p.s. I lived in Austin at the time, so I missed most of the bad stuff first hand. Friends later told me that my buddy was in the DFW news constantly. When the police searched his house, one TV crew set up on a neighbor’s garage roof to get the really juicy shots. The DA called him before the grand jury. His business was ruined.
The memorial was probably the only time I have ever cried in public.
I just can’t help but think of all the mothers out there who can’t sleep at night. Good job by anybody who is willing to offer up their time to help put these cases (and these victims) to bed.
They only found enough of Cat’s bones to bury her in a baby coffin. I was away in California and unable to attend her funeral. I just can’t imagine burying my grown child in a baby coffin. I think you’d have to put me in the ground with her.
Her mom and brother have never been the same, really. Amazing how many families have all beem touched by this same situation.
ETA: I just noticed that both of our friends were 23 years old at the time, Oslo. Eerie.
Wow, I was still a teenager when all this happened and we moved from the Metroplex in '82, but I have no idea how I’d never heard of any of this. I suppose my family was even more self-absorbed than I realized. :mad: Reading the link, I just wanted to say to both Ninety and Oslo how much I hope they nail the fucker’s ass to the wall over this. Your friends look so vibrant and beautiful, I can’t imagine how difficult a loss that must be, even after all this time. And now that they’ve started down this path, I pray there’ll finally be a measure of closure soon.
Evidence will be a problem, given the length of time some of the victims’ bodies went undiscovered. If they can pin another one on him, maybe he will start talking. Plus, all I know about the guy is that he got sent up in California for armed robbery - pretty far removed from serial sexual assault/murder. I wonder what his complete rap sheet looks like.
An anecdote to add to the mix: in the same time period, in the Hulen area, a girl I met repelled a break-in attempt at her apartment by screaming bloody murder. Same guy? Who knows?
faithfool: I think all this happened '84-'85 - after you had left the area.
I’d appreciate it if any DFW Doper bumps this thread at any new development.
