AUSTIN, Texas – Despite having a strong track record of solving homicides, some cases remain unsolved in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 68% of homicide cases are cleared by arrest or other means, but the remaining cases are classified as cold cases. In these instances, the Texas Rangers may step in to take over the investigation.
The Texas Rangers maintain a website where they list the top cold case investigations, with the current list including 13 cases dating back to 1979. These cases span across the state of Texas, and some of them have been unsolved for decades.
One of the most recent cases added to the list is that of Marianne Wilkins, who was murdered in Tarrant County in 2007. Wilkins was tragically shot multiple times when she answered her door, leaving her case unsolved to this day.
Furthermore, the Lubbock County cold case dates back to 1987, when the body of a teenage girl named Veronica Taylor was found with blunt force trauma. Taylor, a 6th grade student at the time, was last seen departing a relative’s apartment the previous evening. Despite these cases being cold, the Texas Crime Stoppers program is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for any information that leads to a resolution.
The Texas Rangers website also offers a gallery of the top cold case investigations and urges anyone with information to come forward. In the event that someone does have relevant information, they can submit tips online or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
In conclusion, despite the impressive rate of solving homicide cases in Texas, there are still unsolved cases that are being actively pursued by the Texas Rangers. These cases, some dating back as far as 1979, are a top priority for law enforcement agencies, and the public’s assistance in solving them is crucial.