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Cold Case Investigations

A Cold Case is a homicide or missing persons case in which all investigative leads have been exhausted.

Cold Case Detectives are part of the Reserve Unit in the Criminal Investigation Division. They are experienced peace officers who investigate unsolved cases. They apply the latest in investigative methods and scientific technology to generate new leads that may identify an unknown victim, solve a crime, and bring closure to the family and loved ones of victims. They employ forensic science methods that are used to study available evidence including DNA for human identification. If cases are solved and criminal charges can be brought, they may be referred to the District Attorney’s Office.

If you have information on one of our cases...
Please contact us at coldcasetips@wilco.org or 512-943-5204

Images of Cold Case victims

Following are case summaries in the order they were discovered.

10-31-1979 Debra Jackson “Orange Socks,” White Female, Identified by WCSO Cold Case in 2019, Homicide
On 10-31-1979 a civilian located the body of an unidentified female in a concrete ditch on the south bound side IH-35 just north of Mile Marker 268. The female was nude except for a pair of orange socks. The body was described as a white female in her late 20s, approximately 5’4” weighing approximately 125 lbs. She had reddish-brown hair and hazel blue eyes. She was wearing a silver, elongated oval ring containing a white stone on her right middle finger.

10-02-1985 Althea Lanelle Rogers, White Female, b. 08-12-1950, Missing Person
Althea Lanelle Rogers is a White Female b. 08-12-1950, who at the time of her disappearance was 5’1” and weighed 100-105 lbs. Althea has blue eyes, sandy brown to blond hair and a large hysterectomy scar across her abdomen. Althea Rogers was last seen on 10-02-1985, by her daughter Debbie Schroen, but was not reported missing to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office until 11-02-1985. Althea emptied her bank account of $150.00 on 10-02-1985. Her purse and identification were left at her house. It is believed she left Williamson County walking North on IH-35.

12-08-1987 George Javier Gaitan, Hispanic Male b. 12-18-1950, Homicide
On December 8, 1987 a civilian located the body of George Javier Gaitan lying face down in a field at the corner of Highway 620 and Cornerwood Drive in Williamson County. Autopsy results show the manner of death to homicide. This case was investigated but a suspect was never identified. Gaitan was from San Antonio, Texas and believed to be in the Williamson County/ Austin area on business.

3-5-1988 S.E. Ritchey White Male, b. 11-26-07, Aggravated Robbery, Homicide
On March 6th 1988 unknown persons assaulted and robbed S.E. Ritchey and his wife at their residence, located on County Road 112 in Williamson County. Mr. Ritchey was rushed to the hospital where he later died due to injuries he sustained during the robbery. This investigation is currently being reviewed by cold case investigators. Under previous administrations, it was presumed, from the facts, that murder was not the intent, but the resulting death has plagued the family for nearly two decades.

10-03-1988 Skeletal Remains, Unidentified Male, Suspected Homicide
On October 3, 1988 a citizen of Williamson County found a human skull in his yard. The citizen contacted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office who responded to his address. A search of the nearby area was completed. Several human bones were located and taken to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. Travis County Medical Examiner stated the remains are that of a Hispanic Male, with black hair, in his mid-thirties, about 5’6” unknown weight. Travis County Medical Examiner said the victim had been deceased approximately six months to a year.

09-25-1989 Sue Ann Husky “Corona,” White Female, Identified by WCSO Cold Case in 2019, Homicide
On September 25th 1989 three civilians discovered the body of an unidentified female on the East frontage road of IH-35, north of exit 277. She was wearing black pants, a “Corona” tee shirt, was in her late 20s, about 5 feet tall, weighing approximately 120lbs, with light brown hair and an appendectomy scar. Autopsy results show the manner of death to be homicide. The woman had been deceased one to two weeks.

12-14-1991 Vicki Lynn Nisbett, White Female, Suspected Homicide
On December 14, 1991 Vicki Nisbett never arrived at a Christmas party to meet a friend. She was reported missing and presumed dead by homicide. Her body has never been found. For 20 years, the case was considered too thin and circumstantial to prove. In 2013, the Williamson County D.A. indicted her husband, Rex, having built a case on blood evidence and witness testimony. Rex was convicted for her murder in 2014 but the ruling was reversed by an appellate court due to “reversible error” and he was released in 2017. Legally, she remains missing. The Sheriff’s Office continues to search for Vicki and learn the truth about her disappearance.

06-15-1994 John Myatt, White Male, b. 12-04-50, Homicide
On June 15th 1994 a civilian contacted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a body he found near the corner of County Road 254 and County Road 255, near Georgetown Texas. The body was later identified as John Michael Myatt of Mountain Home Texas. Due to the condition of the body, cause of death is unknown. Manner of death is Homicide.

08-02-1994 Jessica Lee Harris, White Female, b. 10-25-69, Homicide
On August 2nd 1994 a civilian contacted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a body he found just off the roadway, approximately half of a mile north of Highway 2338 on County Road 245, near Georgetown Texas. Manner of death is Homicide.

07-24-1998 Sharon Russ McCool, White Female, b. 2-20-63, Homicide
On July 24th 1998 a civilian contacted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a body he found at the corner of Great Oaks Drive and Conchos Valley Drive near Round Rock, Texas. Autopsy results show cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head. Manner of death is Homicide.

03-14-1999 Sonya Wallace, Hispanic Female, b. 5-4-83, Homicide
Sonya Wallace was found deceased in Williamson County, on March 14, 1999, after disappearing a month earlier near her home in Rockdale, Texas. Sonya Wallace lived near the post office, four blocks from her family’s home in Rockdale, Texas. When Sonya, 15, left home on the afternoon of February 19, 1999, to go mail a letter, her family expected her back shortly. Sonya never returned. On March 14, 1999 a civilian contacted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a body he found just off of County Road 490 about one mile west of FM 619 near Coupland Texas. The body was identified as Sonya Wallace from Taylor Texas. Manner of death is Homicide.

01-10-2002 Rachel Louise Cooke, White Female, b. 5-10-82, Missing Person
On January 10th 2002 at about 9:30am, Rachel Cooke, 19-year-old female, left her home in Georgetown Texas, to go for a run. Rachel never returned home. She was reported missing and since suspected homicide. She was attending college in California but was home for the Christmas holiday break. On January 11, 2002 at about 3:00pm, Rachel’s parents Robert and Janet Cooke reported Rachel missing to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. Since then, a dedicated and focused team of investigators have investigated over 1400 tips and continue to investigate new leads as they come in.

 
If you have information on one of our cases...

Please contact us at coldcasetips@wilco.org or 512-943-5204.