Buried Truths in the Big State: Texas’ Coldest Cases
Texas, with its sweeping landscapes and rich history, harbors a collection of unsolved mysteries that continue to baffle investigators and captivate the public. These cold cases represent not just crimes, but profound human stories waiting for resolution. For families of victims, each passing year brings renewed hope that someone will come forward with information that could finally bring closure.
The vast expanse of Texas presents unique challenges for investigators working cold cases. Rural areas with sparse populations, jurisdictional complexities across the state’s 254 counties, and cases that predate modern forensic techniques all contribute to the difficulty in solving these mysteries. Yet advances in DNA technology and dedicated cold case units across the state have breathed new life into investigations that once seemed destined to remain unsolved.
Vanished in the Wild West: Texas’ Most Puzzling Disappearances
Texas law enforcement agencies have increasingly embraced digital platforms and social media to share information about cold cases, recognizing that public engagement is often the key to breaking through decades of silence. These efforts have transformed ordinary citizens into crucial partners in the pursuit of justice, as a single tip or recovered memory can sometimes provide the missing piece that investigators have sought for years. Some cold case units and resources in Texas include the Texas Attorney General Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, the Fort Worth Police Department Cold Cases Unit, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Unsolved Homicide Website.
For those drawn to true crime, Texas cold cases offer compelling narratives that reflect the state’s diverse communities and complex social history. Beyond the intrigue, however, lies the sobering reality that each unsolved case represents grieving families and communities waiting for answers—a reminder of why these stories must continue to be told until justice is served.
Texas Unsolved Crimes: Mysteries in the Lone Star State
Here is a list of cold or unsolved cases in the state of Texas (TX) that I’ve written about, sorted from oldest to most recent:
Michelle Colliflower & Vincent Tijerina, Jr.: Two Teenagers Found Murdered
Murdered on March 25, 1983 · Weatherford, Texas
On March 25, 1983, the quiet town of Weatherford, Texas became the setting for a tragic mystery when the bodies of 16-year-old Michelle “Shelly” Colliflower and 17-year-old Vincent Tijerina Jr. were discovered near an abandoned schoolhouse. Both teenagers had been shot to death in what appeared to be an execution-style killing. Despite extensive interviews with friends and associates, potential leads quickly went cold. Over four decades later, the case continues to haunt the community and the families of the victims, who still hope for answers about who cut short the lives of these young people and why.
Amber Hagerman: The Unsolved Case Behind Origin of the AMBER Alert
Went missing on January 13, 1996 and was found murdered on January 17, 1996 · Arlington, Texas
Nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas on January 13, 1996, when a witness observed her being forcibly taken by a man in a black pickup truck. Despite an immediate and intensive search, Amber’s body was found four days later in a drainage ditch just miles from where she had been abducted. Her throat had been cut, and she had been sexually assaulted. Though the case generated thousands of tips and remains one of the most high-profile unsolved murders in Texas history, her killer has never been identified. Amber’s tragic death was not in vain, however, as it led to the creation of the AMBER Alert system, now used nationwide to quickly disseminate information about abducted children and credited with saving hundreds of young lives across America.
Terri “Missy” Bevers: Fitness Coach Murdered in a Church
Murdered on April 18, 2016 · Midlothian, Texas
In the early morning hours of April 18, 2016, 45-year-old fitness instructor Terri “Missy” Bevers arrived at the Creekside Church in Midlothian, Texas to prepare for her 5 AM “Camp Gladiator” exercise class. When her students arrived, they discovered Bevers’ body. Surveillance footage captured a person dressed in tactical gear, resembling police SWAT equipment, roaming the church halls before Bevers arrived, but the perpetrator’s face was never visible and their identity remains unknown.
Elizabeth “Liz” Barraza: Star Wars Fan Murdered in Her Driveway
Murdered on January 25, 2019 · Tomball, Texas
On January 25, 2019, 29-year-old Elizabeth “Liz” Barraza was setting up for a garage sale outside her home in Tomball, Texas when a figure approached her driveway and fatally shot her multiple times at close range. The entire shocking incident was captured on a neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera, showing what appears to be a person disguised in a wig and loose-fitting clothes who fled in a dark-colored truck. Adding to the tragedy, Barraza was preparing for a weekend anniversary trip with her husband, who had left for work just minutes before the shooting. Despite clear video evidence and a $20,000 reward for information, the case remains unsolved.
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—Skylar Aries