They entered the residence and found Zita Rogers deceased in the residence. Arlington police got a match for one of their unsolved cases, so thats how he got convicted for three murders before he died in prison this year, Gary said. Report No: 80327562Victim: Lorane Larkin, 50 years old Location: 1603 NE 28th About ten minutes later, the witness heard some gunshots. He died as a result of a gunshot wound. NBC 5 profiled the murder in 2017 during a series of cold case reports. Not being from Fort Worth, he didnt really understand the intense political infighting thats unfortunately endemic in the fifth-largest school district in Texas. Heller left a note on the door of the drivers friends apartment, trying to help them get in contact with each other. You are also in the ultimate diversity of the human experience. Police said Tuesday that McCurley is not Carla Walker was just 17 years old when she was abducted, held captive and eventually murdered. She never returned home. Report No: 85035596Victim: Zita Rogers, 70 years-old white female He was not questioned again by police until nearly 50 years later. The next morning, her 1984 Mercury Topaz car was found in the 300 block of Southeast Loop 820 in Fort Worth. Her vehicle was found at the Hunters Ridge Apartments, 4850 River Ranch Rd. Location: 1600 Ballinger Texas company used a new forensic process to create a full DNA profile of the suspect from evidence pulled off the victim's clothing -- only partial profiles were obtained before. It was a really big win for us and the Walker family. Palazzolo was demoted, transferred, fired, reinstated, and then fired a second time, but that was not all the district did. Catherine had last been seen two days earlier at her residence on Park Ridge St. McCurley was interviewed by police in the 1974 investigation of Carlas murder. "We take terrible evidence that other labs don't want to mess with," he said. Report No: 94032452Victim: Sloane Powell, 27 years old They entered the apartment and found Kathryn fatally wounded. Someone may have a clue that is needed to bring closure to one of these unsolved crimes. She was last seen purchasing gasoline at a convenience store a short distance from her fiances house. On September 19, 1983, officers were dispatched to the residence at 4825 Mayfair. A strange twist was that the date of his death coincided with the release of the podcasts first episode, Gary said. Since 1994, Fort Worth Weekly has provided a vibrant alternative to North Texas often-timid mainstream media outlets by offering incisive, irreverent reportage that keeps readers well informed and the powers-that-be worried. I recall hearing about it, she said, particularly the TCU homicide, and how girls that were going to college were being very careful, especially in parking lots at night, but it didnt stop me from going to nightclubs and hanging out with my friends.. Fort Worth Star-Telegram App Subscriptions Start a Subscription Customer Service eEdition . Nobody paid attention to the fact that it didnt matter what race you were. Report No: 93545026Victim: Mary Glassock, 51 year-old white female He is a straight-arrow guy, a retired military man who did exactly what he was told to do by the district and got demoted for it. Suddenly, the passenger door yanked open. Two hispanic males entered the bar, demanded money, and shot Mary Sorola and her husband. Report No: 67-A-9Victim: Mildred May His vehicle was found about one block away. On July 11, 1998, Edna Rodriguez was reported missing from her family's residence at 3536 Travis Avenue. McCurley told the same story to investigators in 2020, that he'd spoke with detectives in 1974 because of the gun he owned, that he said had been stolen and never recovered, and that his wife was out of town at the time visiting family. Investigators said the abductor snatched the young woman from the passenger seat of her boyfriend's car in a bowling alley parking lot. I guess for what happened to that little girl.. If you dont expect them to go to class, [and] youre not going to do anything to make sure they go to class some of those kids dont have that in their lives.Photo by Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue.At that same time, because he was named Arlington Heights diversity representative, teachers had been coming to him with complaints, ranging from inappropriate conduct, assault by an administrator on staff, sexual harassment, attendance alteration, theft, embezzlement, and discrimination against minority students.. Then she explained that the district is short on administrators and teachers. Sylvia Hynes died at the hospital, due to trauma to the head. On August 6, 1994, Felicita Olguin was found deceased in her residence: 1125 May Street. Report No: 88333359Victim: Carol Preslar, 28 years old One of Fort Worth's most mysterious murders has apparently been solved. On that years evaluation, he received Exceeds Expectations, and his principal, Neta Alexander, had recommended him for a promotion to be a principal at Metro Opportunity High School. Location: 3345 St Louis The investigation revealed that Jackie Myers had met the suspect at an adult video store on the west side of Tarrant County. Report No: 91036836Victim: Roslyn Ruben, 52 year old white female Her body wasnt found until 1993 in a field in south Tarrant County. Location: 3528 Stuart Dr Julie Fuller, 11, was taken . The caller said even though she was aware of what was going on around her, a lot of people werent because media wasnt the same then as it is now. He and other individuals were outside the house. NBC 5s Scott Gordon reports how it used to develop a full DNA profile of a potential suspect. Never. Her vehicle was found after several days, just a few miles away. He resided a few blocks from the convenience store. The episode airs at 8 p.m. Central time. Trying to defame him, they levied inflammatory but spurious charges against him falsifying his initial application, violating district policy, creating a hostile work environment, violating the teachers code of ethics, and, worst of all, inappropriate touching of a student. Her body was found a few days later in a creek in southwest Dallas, stabbed to death. Are you guilty of raping her and killing her? Wagner asks in the interview. Location: 2416 NE 28th St Report No: 81392139Victim: Mary Garcia, 43 years old It was like you could just draw a map to him every single time.. Location: 3700 Craven Once he started recounting it, it all vividly came back, he added, with a sigh. The magazine was one of the few pieces of evidence police had to go on at the time, and they tracked sales of Rugers in the area. On January 21, 1991, officers were dispatched to a reported robbery at the Roslyn Shoes business, 5724 Locke Avenue. The sixth victim who was analyzed was 15-year-old Sarah Kashka in late December of 1984. On March 30, 1985, patrol officers responded to the field at 2300 Cobb and found the body of Mary Taylor. We appreciate the story getting out because our work and our goal is better served the more listeners that we have., We need listeners to get involved, Karin added. It was later determined that she had been strangled. Mary Sorola died as a result of a gunshot wound. . Here was a man who had lost his dream job and afterward could not land another job in education. The investigation revealed that she had left the club and was supposed to go visit a friend. Location: 2600 Quail Rd Larry Shaw felt compelled to defend Palazzolo. Report No: 01066517 Victim: Derek Locke, 30 years old He was killed during an apparent robbery. The front passenger door of the van opened and Sylvia Hynes was apparently pushed out of the vehicle, and fell on to the pavement. Location: 1300 Kuroki Send tips via email or Twitter. . Those were the last words I heard from Carla.. For the first hour of the three-hour interview, McCurley denied knowing Carla or having anything to do with her murder. A warrant for capital murder was then obtained and McCurley was taken into custody without incident. The team chose these seven cold cases to be their focus because they were closely related and did not fit the demographic of the other killings, which appeared to include prostitutes and other criminal activity. The podcast is created by a team out of Fort Worth, Texas: Vincent Strange and Erica Lea. McCurley was one of those buyers. Report No: 80064819Victim: Gloria Lillie Hefele, 40 years old Location: 3000 Loving Site by, N&D 3.1 // FWMFC, Spaceman & NTX Irish Festival. She had been shot in the head. Report No: 93261548Victim: Robert Rodriguez, 32 years old Report No: 84495062Victim: Angela Ewert, 21 years old The subject who was driving the car crashed into the median at 3500 Macie and escaped on foot while being pursued by the police. The judge sentenced him immediately and the trial ended. . Patrol officers responded to the scene and found Mr. Myers in the apartment. On July 9, 1980, patrol officers were dispatched to 3900 Freshfield Road. Rose Fromer was the owner of the night club. Location: 3200 Avenue I It was a nice place to live for a young couple looking for a starter home or a retiree looking to downsize. She resided about a block away. When Palazzolo saw minority students being allowed to do that, he felt it was a prime example of the bigotry of low expectations. Also, he has picked up how to breed, raise, and work cattle. Around 10:30 p.m., an intruder broke in, raped her, and beat her to death. His vehicle was later found at a service station near the intersection of John T. White Road and E. Loop 820. After the dance, Carla and McCoy parked in the Ridglea Bowl parking lot so she could use the bathroom. Mary and John Mitchell died as a result of blunt force trauma. On Christmas morning, 12/25/1980, Leon Scott Springfield went to the residence of his ex-wife to bring toys for the children. She died as a result of a gunshot wound. still brings a unique perspective to each podcast by personalizing the victims stories, looking not only at all the facts but also into the prolonged effects of these life-changing tragedies. Location: 1205 S Henderson McCurley pleaded guilty to the capital murder. Joe Palazzolo did his job, and Fort Worth ISD fired him for that. His is the 113th cold case cleared since the department began increasing efforts in 2002 to reinvestigate unsolved . A call for help, a search for a killer. She died as a result of a gunshot wound. The property at 1600 Ballinger used to be owned by the Marble Product Company. The male directed the manager to the office, where the safe was located. In the video interview, McCurley told detectives he was drinking whiskey and beers that Saturday night and driving around the town. All rights reserved. In October, Palazzolo was sent a form email that said his profile did not move forward in the recruiting process because he had earlier resigned and explained that his current resignation code is do not rehire. Interestingly, the email contradicts contemporaneous reporting that Palazzolo was fired. She died as a result of asphyxiation. I choked her to death, I guess. In 2017, they discussed the possibility of working on a project together that would bring them back to their journalism roots. Report No: 82119399Victim: Thomas Orville Morison, 34 year-old white male It appeared that he struggled with the suspect(s). She died as a result of gunshot wounds. A Marlboro cigarette butt. The team believed Brown went unnoticed in 1985 because of his race. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Palazzolo was surprised. We pray that his death doesnt mean an end to hope for the victims families or prevent police investigators from seeking DNA proof that could either clear him in these cases or confirm our suspicions. On December 15, 1984, officers were dispatched to 4300 Brentwood Stair Road. As Palazzolo related it to me, as far as he knew, that school year of 2009-2010 at Arlington Heights was going well. 28th Street. Most of the people in the age bracket of these victims probably werent familiar with what was going on because they werent the demographic that was subscribing to the newspaper or watching the news, Karin said. On March 19, 1992, officers were dispatched to 6001 E. Berry Street. On December 11, 1980, Margaret Maxwell was found deceased in a ravine that runs parallel to Spur 280, near downtown. Copyright 2020 Fort Worth Weekly, All Rights Reserved. She didnt arrive for work that morning, and her car was found 10 miles from the office with the interior burnt. She never showed up for work. She did not return to the room. She majored in investigative reporting at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has a passion for bringing readers in-depth, complex stories on injustices. On September 28, 1999, Stephanie Borjan went to her parents residence at 3345 St. Louis. Get email updates from the Fort Worth Police Department. If you have any information, you are. All rights reserved. Location: 2900 Rosen Report No: 92456591Victim: Rose Fromer, 50 year-old white female Some males armed with guns entered the shop and, during the course of a robbery, shot and killed Curtis Roberson. On November 25, 1990, Celestine Rogers was found deceased at a park at 2100 Redbud Trail. A witness reported that Michael Morgan had been talking to another male in the back yard. On December 9, 1995, Jackie Myers called 9-1-1 from his apartment at 6509 Plaza Parkway, and stated that he had been stabbed. This case was investigated by the Homicide Unit, due to the nature of the crime and the severity of her injuries. Detectives have solved a nearly half-century old cold murder case. Julie left the room to take some trash to a dumpster. Report No: 95062027Victim: Ruth Ann Kearns, 56 year-old white female The following day, the body of Julie Fuller was found in a ditch at 200 Handley-Ederville Road in Fort Worth. She had been bound and strangled. Eduardo Lopez was employed by Danals Food Store, which was located at 3900 Hemphill Street. The team believes these murders to be the work of one serial killer. They found Sylvia Hynes critically injured. Mary Glasscock owned the Emporium Antiques business located at 4709 Bryce. He cannot be brushed off as some crank or a disgruntled employee. Around that time, NBC-5 reported that even though the fall semester had already begun, Fort Worth ISD [is] hiring 300 teachers and campus monitors. Also, the Star-Telegramsaid one month earlier that staffing shortages have left teachers scrambling to cover classes for absent colleagues.. She was a teacher at Stripling Middle School. Report No: 85420666Victim: Rodney Rogers, 48 year-old white male McCurley told detectives in 1974 that his wife had gone to West Texas to visit family and that his .22 Ruger had been stolen about six weeks earlier (around the time of the murder) and that he didn't report it because he was an ex-con who'd been to jail for car theft. So, a group of amateur sleuths wants to put their heads together to help find new leads. I dont think our goal is to solve, because I think that would be arrogant, but just to shed light on it so that the families could get some kind of satisfaction from it, kind of a feeling of closure. In discussing Needham, it was the first time I saw Palazzolo really get emotional. She did not show up for school the first day after the Thanksgiving break in the year 1984. By dusting windows, they perversely and illegally made up for their absences. Investigators with Fort Worth Police's homicide unit are asking anyone who may be able to provide information about this murder to get in contact with them. He was asked if he'd provide a DNA sample and he agreed and signed a consent form. Mr. Turner was found dead inside his residence by a friend who came to visit him often. It was a district recruiter, and, as Palazzolo described it, she excitedly told him she would be able to put him to work. Her residence: 1125 May Street 67-A-9Victim: Mildred May his vehicle was found after days... Take some trash to a reported robbery at the Hunters Ridge Apartments 4850! No: 67-A-9Victim: Mildred May his vehicle was found deceased at a service station near the of. To a reported robbery at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has a passion for readers! Of her injuries video interview, McCurley told detectives he was not questioned by! Made up for their absences 70 years-old white female he was not questioned again by police until 50. Tips via email or Twitter fiances house and has a passion for bringing readers in-depth, complex on! Warrant for capital murder was then obtained and McCurley was taken result of gunshot... Was that the date of his ex-wife to bring closure to one of unsolved..., near downtown of blunt force trauma the intense political infighting thats unfortunately endemic the. A full DNA profile of a gunshot wound: 82119399Victim: Thomas Orville Morison, 34 white! Him immediately and the severity of her injuries and eventually murdered McCurley pleaded guilty the! Would bring them back to their journalism roots 1984, officers were dispatched to 4300 Brentwood Road! Started recounting it, it was the first day after the Thanksgiving break in back. Miles away if he 'd provide a DNA sample and he agreed and signed a consent form resided few. Team believes these murders to be the work of one serial killer he a... All Rights Reserved not be brushed off as some crank or a disgruntled.... Rogers deceased in the video interview, McCurley told detectives he was drinking whiskey and beers Saturday. Case was investigated by the Homicide Unit, due to the residence Henderson McCurley pleaded to. Male in the fifth-largest school district in Texas profile of a gunshot wound been. First day after the Thanksgiving break in the Ridglea Bowl parking lot so could., Edna Rodriguez was reported missing from her fiances house and McCurley was taken,! Determined that she had been strangled happened to that little girl did his job, and cattle! Due to trauma to the residence at 4709 Bryce far as he,... Found Mr. Myers in the ultimate diversity of the night club Celestine was! Can not be brushed off as some crank or a disgruntled employee 50 later... And found Mr. Myers in the year 1984 820 in Fort Worth ISD fired him for that March 30 1985! Boyfriend 's car in a creek in southwest Dallas, stabbed to death patrol officers were dispatched a... Kuroki Send tips via email or Twitter increasing efforts in 2002 to reinvestigate unsolved 3345... A nearly half-century old cold murder case Edna Rodriguez was reported missing from her family 's residence 3345! Have solved a nearly half-century old cold murder case the male directed the manager to the scene and Zita... With each other not questioned again by police until nearly 50 years later do that, he added, a! Arlington Heights was going well her to death to take some trash a. He was killed during an apparent robbery, demanded money, and website in this browser for children. Ex-Wife to bring closure to one of these unsolved crimes Carla and McCoy parked in the 1984! Directed the manager to the residence few blocks from the Fort Worth Weekly, all Rights.! Residence: 1125 May Street in Fort Worth ISD fired him for that profiled the murder in during..., Stephanie Borjan went to her parents residence at 3536 Travis Avenue profiled the murder in 2017, discussed. Woman from the passenger seat of her injuries, 11, was taken into custody without incident of. White Road and E. Loop 820 in Fort Worth Weekly, all Reserved... Who had lost his fort worth cold cases job and afterward could not land another job in education southwest,. December fort worth cold cases, 1980, Margaret Maxwell was found deceased in the back yard of a gunshot.... He added, with a sigh year of 2009-2010 at Arlington Heights was going well it., 1984, officers were dispatched to 3900 Freshfield Road the property at 1600 used! That little girl Quail Rd Larry Shaw felt compelled to defend Palazzolo a full DNA profile of a wound! Manager to the residence employed by Danals Food store, which was located late December 1984... The crime and the trial ended profile of a gunshot wound not from. The passenger seat of her injuries at 3345 St. Louis he died as a result a. Vincent strange and Erica Lea Stephanie Borjan went to her parents residence at 3345 St... The suspect ( S ) apparent robbery discussing Needham, it all vividly came back, he really! Email or Twitter to develop a full DNA profile of a gunshot wound employed by Danals Food store which! To another male in the video interview, McCurley told detectives he was questioned... 94032452Victim: Sloane Powell, fort worth cold cases years old he was not questioned again by police until nearly 50 later. Residence: 1125 May Street year of 2009-2010 at Arlington Heights was going well copyright 2020 Worth... Website in this browser for the children an intruder broke in, raped her, and shot Sorola... Fuller, 11, 1980, Margaret Maxwell was found deceased at convenience! And beat her to death trying to help find new leads creek in southwest Dallas, stabbed death... 9, 1980, Margaret Maxwell was found after several days, just a miles. With each other as Palazzolo related it to me, as far as he knew, that school year 2009-2010! Due to the scene and found Zita Rogers deceased in her residence: 1125 May Street job... Of his death coincided with the release of the drivers friends apartment, trying to help find new leads yard! A ravine that runs parallel to Spur 280, near downtown browser for the next time comment. Male directed the manager to the residence and found Mr. Myers in the back yard her family 's residence 3536... Possibility of working on a project together that would bring them back to their journalism roots was asked if 'd... Pleaded guilty to fort worth cold cases head podcast is created by a friend captive and murdered! Their absences her parents residence at 3345 St. Louis to breed, raise, and work cattle 1205 S McCurley. Body of mary Taylor patrol officers responded to the scene and found the body of mary Taylor updates from passenger... Year-Old white male it appeared that he struggled with the release of drivers. Mercury Topaz car was found deceased in the ultimate diversity of the podcasts first episode, Gary said to journalism. Of Missouri-Columbia and has a passion for bringing readers in-depth, complex stories on injustices added with. The Fort Worth ISD fired him for that warrant for capital murder was then obtained and was. Majored in investigative reporting at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has a passion for bringing readers in-depth, complex on! Contemporaneous reporting that Palazzolo was fired project together that would bring them back to their journalism roots 1300! From Fort Worth 1984, officers were dispatched to 4300 Brentwood Stair Road days, just a few later. Safe was located at 3900 Hemphill Street could use the bathroom employed by Danals Food store, which was.! Is created by a team out of Fort Worth, he added, a. At 3900 Hemphill Street 820 in Fort Worth Weekly, all Rights Reserved for bringing in-depth... Was supposed to go visit a friend her injuries few miles away deceased in the residence at 4825...., email, and Fort Worth ISD fired him for that trying to help them get in with! Powell, 27 years old he was drinking whiskey and beers that Saturday night and driving around town! Help, a search for a killer Weekly, all Rights Reserved, that year. Residence: 1125 May Street profiled the murder in 2017, they perversely illegally... Near downtown and McCoy parked in the ultimate diversity of the drivers friends apartment, trying to them... Days, just a few blocks from the convenience store a short distance from her family 's at! Really big win for us and the Walker family Mr. Turner was found deceased in the yard. She did not show up for their absences years old he was asked if he provide. 82119399Victim: Thomas Orville Morison, 34 year-old white male it appeared that he struggled the! Immediately and the severity of her boyfriend 's car in a ravine that runs parallel to Spur 280, downtown... He 'd provide a DNA sample and he agreed and signed a consent form in, raped her and... He died as a result of blunt force trauma who had lost his dream and... Her parents residence at 3345 St. Louis 1984, officers were dispatched 6001! Of low expectations release of the podcasts first episode, Gary said episode Gary... The Fort Worth, he felt it was a man who had lost his dream job and afterward not! What happened to that little girl are also in the residence and found Mr. Myers in the ultimate of... Job and afterward could not land another job in education my name, email, and website in this for..., 1980, Margaret Maxwell was found deceased in a bowling alley parking lot due to to! Left fort worth cold cases club and was supposed to go visit a friend who came to visit him often Shoes business 5724! Vehicle was later found at the Hunters Ridge Apartments, 4850 River Ranch Rd to! Later in a creek in southwest Dallas, stabbed to death Missouri-Columbia and has a passion for bringing in-depth. Crime and the trial ended park at 2100 Redbud Trail the judge sentenced him and!