List of unidentified murder victims in Texas
Of the thousands of people murdered each year in the United States, many decedents remain unidentified. Including murder victims and individuals whose death is via natural causes or accident, approximately 40,000 decedents remain unidentified in the United States.
The cases of unidentified victims within this article are those of individuals discovered in Texas. In most of these cases, the murders remain unsolved.
"Mr. X" (1972)
On December 11, 1972, a rancher in Johnson County, Texas, was investigating an area where buzzards were circling, when he discovered the nude body of a young, white male. The man had been shot to death with a small caliber handgun. He was estimated to be about 30 years old and was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall. He had short, curly, brown hair. His weight and eye color could not be ascertained, as various foraging animals had caused extensive damage to the body. He was soon buried in a pauper's grave in Rose Hill Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas. in 2013, his body was exhumed for DNA analysis. The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the man's identification in May, 2019. So far, he has gone multiple rounds of DNA extraction and sequencing, with unusable results. He is currently slated for another extraction.Harris County John Doe (1973)
A white or Hispanic male between 15 and 18 years old was found buried in a Harris County boat shed in August 1973.This youth is the only still-unidentified victim of serial killer Dean Corll, who, together with two teenage accomplices, killed at least 28 boys and young men between 1970 and 1973. This decedent was between 5 feet 2 and 5 feet 7 inches tall, had dark brown hair, approximately seven inches in length, and is believed to have worn multicolored, striped swim trunks, boots, and a shirt displaying a peace symbol. These items were found near his body.
He had received good dental care, and had never received any teeth fillings in his lifetime. It is known that he suffered from a mild form of spina bifida. DNA testing conducted in 2008 did not match any missing person report.
A forensic examination of the remains of this decedent, in addition to the circumstantial fact that he was buried between two identified victims of Dean Corll, indicated that he was most likely murdered in either 1971 or 1972.
"Disco Dan"
On April 3, 1970, the partial remains of a young white male were discovered in a drainage culvert in Hewitt, Texas. He had been shot to death. The man was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old, was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighed 128 pounds. He had light brown hair with a mustache and goatee, and brown eyes. He also had three tattoos: one on his upper left arm of a cross inside of a heart, one on his left forearm that read "PEACE", and one on his upper right arm that read "BB". He was found wearing a longs sleeve button-up shirt with a white and blue pattern, Levi brand jeans, white tube socks with red and blue stripes, brown Wellington boots, a necklace made of white puka shells and large black beads, and a silver Snoopy medallion. Investigators believe he had been killed elsewhere and deposited at the location.He was buried in an unmarked grave in McLennan County Restland Cemetery, however the location of his body is unknown.
Walker County Jane Doe
A teenage female whose body was discovered approximately six hours after she died on October 31 or November 1, 1980. Henry Lee Lucas has been named as a potential suspect in this case, although a bite mark found upon the decedent's shoulder was inconsistent with Lucas's dentistry.She was estimated to be between the ages of 14 and 18 years old with brown hair and brown or hazel eyes. She had claimed to a waitress that she was 19 but the waitress did not believe her. She was described as wearing a yellow pullover sweater and red heeled sandals. She was also wearing a square or rectangular pendent necklace with a smokey blue or brown stone. The necklace was found on the body and the shoes were nearby but none of her clothing was located.
When her body was found it was determined she had only been dead for several hours. She had been viciously sexually assaulted with a large foreign object. A truck driver had seen her body on the north bound side of highway 45 about a mile north of The Hitchin Post truck stop.
The waitress who spoke to her claimed the girl told her she was from the Aransas Pass/Rockport area but no missing persons were reported in that area around the time of her death.
Harris County Jane Doe (1980)
On December 10, 1980, a young African American female was found lying under a mattress, under Interstate 45, about six miles north of downtown Houston, Texas. Investigators could not find a conclusive cause of death. She was estimated to be between 16 and 26 years old, was 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed 135 pounds. She had black hair styled in cornrows and pigtails, and brown eyes, as well as scars on her left wrist. Residual pink/red nail polish was found on her hands, and there was evidence that she was a nail-biter. She was found wearing a pink pant-suit with a vest, and two necklaces; one with a dog tag-shaped pendant, and four bracelets. Investigators believe that she may have been a victim of the infamous I-45 Killer.Harris County Does (1981)
A young man and woman who were found in January 1981. They were killed approximately two months earlier and left in Houston.Grimes County Jane Doe
On October 29, 1981, the partial skeletal remains of a teenage, white female were discovered by a TxDOT worker on Farm Route 244 in Grimes County, Texas, just south of Iola. She had died of blunt force trauma to the head, and had been dead for anywhere between a few months to five years. She was estimated to be between 13 and 19 years old, was between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighed 110 pounds. She had red/dark auburn hair, and had evidence of previously healed fractures to her ribs, breastbone, and toe area. Investigators believe she was right handed. She was found wearing pink bikini panties, a ring with a replica 20-dollar American gold piece, and a white towel. She was found wrapped in a large plastic bag with a rag commonly used by mechanics inside, as well. Investigators believe that her body was stored in a closet for a few years before moving the body to the location. Investigators also searched the area for missing children, however none were reported missing at the time.Plainview Jane Doe
On February 16, 1982, the decomposed and nude remains of a small, young, white female were discovered on a dirt road in the desert, just outside of Plainview, Texas. Her head was not found at the scene, nor recovered. Cause of death was not determined, but is believed to be a homicide, as she was found with her hands bound behind her back. She was estimated to be between 19 and 21 years old, was between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 95 and 105 pounds. Henry Lee Lucas claimed to have been responsible for the murder, however his confession is not considered to be plausible.A few days after the body was recovered, a skull was discovered in the same area. Investigators believe that the skull belonged to the unidentified woman, however when DNA testing was done on the skull in 2015, it was determined that it belonged to a different person.
The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the woman's identification in May, 2019.
Montgomery County Jane Doe (1983)
On May 13, 1983, the decomposing remains of a young white female were discovered by a group of schoolchildren in a wooded area behind a 76 truck stop on US Route 59 in New Caney, Texas. She had been killed by two blows to the head, which caused skull fractures. She was estimated to be between 15 and 22 years old, was 4 feet 11 inches tall, and weighed between 78 and 95 pounds. She had long, dark brown hair. She was found wearing a pair of Shades brand designer blue jeans, a tan Wrangler brand long sleeve T-shirt, and a pair of white panties. The area in which her body was found was a spot typically used for tractor-trailers to park.Harris County Jane Doe (1985)
On August 12, 1985, the body of a Hispanic female aged between 16 and 35 was found inside a vacant store. Her body was discovered alongside that of a man who was identified as Thomas Rodriguez, and her death had occurred hours prior to her discovery. She was between five feet and five feet two inches, and weighed approximately 120 to 140 pounds. Other distinctive details regarding this decedent include two sets of distinctive earrings she had worn which contained beads and shells, a tattoo of the letter 'V' on her upper left arm, and a scar resulting from her gallbladder being removed. A necklace with an arrowhead and turquoise stone design was also found on the girl's neck. It is unknown how both victims were placed at the scene.Bexar County Jane Doe
On March 26, 1986, a black woman was shot multiple times and left near a railroad. She was between 18 and 25, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall. The body had gone undiscovered for approximately three weeks to three months. The motive for the murder was apparently an argument. Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, a serial killer, confessed to her murder, claiming he had also killed the woman's boyfriend, whose remains are yet to be found. The woman wore a white gold ring, a striped blue short skirt, and a flannel jacket, which was also striped. She was believed to have been native to Florida, her first name reported to possibly be Norma. The woman, along with her boyfriend and another victim, has never been identified. Reséndiz apparently killed seventeen others.Live Oak Doe
An African American subject, 20 to 30 years old, who was likely a trans woman or a drag queen, was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital when found unresponsive on July 10, 1986, in Live Oak, Harris County, Texas. The cause of death was strangulation, which may have been done with pantyhose. The subject was dressed in pink pants, a gray shirt, and a black belt with spikes. A pair of socks was under the shirt, likely used to mimic breasts. A heart tattoo containing a scroll was on one arm, and the victim's fingernails had been painted gold at one point. Four earrings were found in each ear; a ring with a clear stone, a ring without a stone, a silver chain, and two gold-colored necklaces were also found. The victim may have had a drug history, as needle marks were visible on the arms. The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identifying the body in January, 2020."New York Billy"
On August 3, 1986, several persons in Crater Lake observed what appeared to be a body floating in the water. When authorities responded, they found the decomposed body of a young white male. He had been shot to death and had been dead for about a week. He was estimated to be between 20 and 35 years old, was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed between 130 and 140 pounds. He had long, reddish brown hair and his left earlobe was pierced. He had three tattoos: one of a small devil with a painted tail on his lower left arm, one on his upper left arm with the word "Liz", and one of a flower design and "Baby Dawn" on his right arm. The tattoos were described to be of poor quality. He was found wearing a pair of blue Levi brand jeans, a brown short sleeve sports style shirt with a tag having the name "Wilson" written on it, and an earring of unknown description. After the man was killed, it appeared that he was tied to two cinder blocks with an electrical cord and then deposited in the lake. He may have gone by the street name, "New York Billy". He was exhumed in 2015 in order to analyze his DNA and make a forensic reconstruction.Milam County Jane Doe
On November 4, 1986, the skeletal remains of a teenage white/Hispanic female were discovered by a telephone company repairman, in a grassy area alongside US Route 77, seven miles south of Rockdale, Texas. She had been beaten to death; to the point where her face was unrecognizable. She had been dead from anywhere between a few days to over a week. She was estimated to be between 12 and 16 years old, was approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 90 and 100 pounds. She was only found with a yellow metal ring on her left hand.Her remains were exhumed in 2006 for analysis, however the maxilla and jaw bone were not found in the grave. Photographs were taken of the bones prior to her burial, though. Investigators say that without these two bones, a traditional 3D reconstruction cannot be made. A sketch could still be made of the victim based on the incomplete skull, and DNA Phenotyping may be able to provide a digital likeness of the girl.
Tarrant County John Doe (1987)
On October 10, 1987, the decomposed body of a young white male was found in a field in an unincorporated area of Tarrant County, Texas, close to Benbrook Lake. Cause of death could not be determined, however investigators are treating the case as a homicide. He was estimated to be between 25 and 40 years old, was approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighed between 140 and 150 pounds. He was found wearing a Land's End brand short sleeve, pullover, knit shirt wiht a white stripe, a Brigade brand plaid, flannel, long sleeve shirt, a pair of blue bikini briefs, Lee brand jeans with a laundry mark reading, "L.P. Brennan 50118", a pair of dark socks, a worn, silver ring with flat blue and red stones and a Kronotron brand gold watch, without the band. A pair of athletic shoes and an unfired.32 caliber cartridge were also found with the body.Investigators believe that the man may have come from Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, or Tennessee, and may have used the names Thomas Jeffery, Jeffery Taylor, or Joseph Taylor, in order to gain food and medical care.
"White Socks"
On November 15, 1987, the skeletal remains of a young white/Hispanic male were found in some tall grass near the north shore of the Twin Buttes Resevoir in Tom Green County, Texas. Investigators could not find a cause of death, however, have deemed it a homicide due to the fact that he was found wearing clean socks in a grove of mesquite bushes. The man had been deceased for anywhere between five and six months. The man was estimated to be between 17 and 30 years old, was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighed between 145 and 175 pounds. He had dark brown hair and a possible case of mild spina bifida. He was found wearing a pair of Levi brand jeans, a pair of jockey shorts, and a pair of clean white socks. This has led to his nickname, "White Socks".In May, 2019, the DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the victim's identification.
"Rebel Ray"
The skeletal remains of a male between the ages of 27 and 38 were found on October 3, 1988, in Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas, near a caravan park. He died between a month and a year before, as a result of homicidal violence. He was white with possible Native American or Hispanic ancestry. His hair was dark brown with some gray visible. He had a healed injury to his nose and he was likely of muscular build, with a height between 5'2" and 5'5". Although there was no clothing on the body, a pair of underwear and a hat were nearby. He was given the nickname "Rebel Ray" after the wording on the hat. Investigators suspect he may have resided in the nearby caravan park or was possibly employed as a handyman.The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identifying the body in May, 2019.
Collin County John Doe
A Hispanic male between 15 and 25 was found stabbed to death on December 15, 1988, in Collin County, Texas. He had died a day before his body was found abandoned in a culvert. He wore a motorcyclist's jacket and a white and gray striped shirt, along with corduroy jeans, loafers, and a belt with a multi-colored buckle. He had a tattoo on his arm of the letters "RYA" inside a heart with an arrow through it, possibly representing a significant other or a family member. He was found wearing a watch, a bracelet, and two rubber rings. He was relatively short for a male, being five feet to five feet one inch tall. In his pockets, chap stick, a package of cigarettes, and a disposable lighter were found.Harris County Jane Doe (1989)
Approximately eight to ten hours after her death, a Hispanic female was located on Westheimer Street, in Houston, Harris County, Texas on December 29, 1989. She was five feet four inches and weighed 161 pounds; she was between nineteen and twenty-five, although she could have been up to thirty-five. The victim wore black pants, socks and shoes as well as a white bra, panties and a pullover. Her hair was black and curly, approximately twenty inches long. Her eyes were also brown. A piece of paper was found at the scene that was written by hand containing some sort of schedule. The woman had been shot at close range in the head. After her body remained unidentified, she was buried in an unmarked grave in a potter's field.Tarrant County John Doe (1992)
On October 25, 1992, police officers found the body of a Hispanic male outside of a club in Fort Worth, Texas. He had been stabbed to death. He was estimated to be in his 30's, was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed 150 pounds. He had black hair and blue eyes. He was found wearing a pair of brown cowboy boots, gray socks, and gray jeans. A man was arrested for the Doe's murder in September, 2007. It appeared the man had been dragged outside of the club, possibly by a worker who had been cleaning up for the night.Romeo Sanchez, was accused of stabbing the victim to death while fighting with the victim inside of the bar. Sanchez had been a long time person of interest in the case, but officers initially did not have enough evidence to charge him.