Texas Department of Transportation:
AUSTIN (KYTX) – The
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today unveiled a new section of its
website dedicated to solving cold case murder investigations across the state of
Texas. The Texas Rangers' Unsolved Homicides webpage is aimed at renewing the
public's interest in these cases, including the Rangers Top 12 Unsolved Cold
Case Investigations, which features two cases from each of the state's six DPS
regions. The cases that are featured in the Top 12 will be changed periodically.
"Cold cases are
typically challenging to solve for a variety of reasons, but we want to send a
clear message that we are not giving up on these murder victims," said DPS
Director Steven McCraw. "Our goal for this webpage – and the investigative
efforts supporting it – is to shine a new light on these crimes, so they are not
forgotten. We are committed to bringing these ruthless criminals to justice and
to bringing some amount of closure to the families involved."
Texas Rangers,
along with local police agencies, will reassess – and in some case reanalyze –
evidence, and take another look at persons of interest or attempt to develop new
persons of interest. Many of these cases involve smaller or rural police
agencies, which the Texas Rangers routinely assist in working murder
investigations. Currently, the website features a total of 68 cases dating back
to 1978.
By putting the
cases back in the public eye, it increases the possibility that people will come
forward with new information or leads that can be investigated. The public will
have the opportunity to submit information online through the new webpage or by
calling a toll free number, 1-800-346-3243. Callers may
remain anonymous. (Some of the cases have rewards associated with them, which
are noted on the website.)
To view the
information on the Unsolved Homicides site, visit:
http://www.dps.texas.gov/TexasRangers/UnsolvedHomicides/Index.htm.
To specifically
view the Texas Rangers Top 12 Cold Case Investigations visit:
http://www.dps.texas.gov/TexasRangers/UnsolvedHomicides/topCases.aspx.
