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Officials in Texas have identified the body of a woman who was murdered over four decades ago. The woman, now identified as Kathy Ann Smith, was found dead in 1979 in Elgin, Texas. The case was reopened in 2019 and with the help of DNA samples, she has finally been identified. The woman had a daughter who now knows what happened to her mother. Yelena Dzhanova reported
Woman Murdered Over Four Decades Ago Finally Identified in Texas
Authorities in Texas have finally identified a woman who was brutally murdered more than forty years ago, according to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, Kathy Ann Smith, was initially discovered in 1979 along a highway in Elgin, Texas.
Despite extensive efforts at the time, law enforcement officials were unable to determine the woman’s identity. However, convicted serial killer Henry Lee Lucas later confessed to her murder, earning him the nickname “Confession Killer.” While Lucas had recanted some of his confessions, he consistently maintained his guilt in the 1979 case.
During a recent press conference, Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook expressed his belief in Lucas’ capacity for murder but remained uncertain about the truth behind this specific confession. Nevertheless, Lucas remains the sole suspect in the case.
In 2019, the case was reopened, leading to the exhumation of the woman’s gravesite. Despite collecting DNA samples, her identity remained unknown. It wasn’t until three years later, with the assistance of research professionals from Texas State University, that enough DNA was obtained to positively identify the victim as Kathy Ann Smith, who tragically passed away at the age of 22.
Authorities also discovered that Smith had a daughter, who has now been provided with closure regarding her mother’s fate. Turning 67 last week, Kathy Ann Smith’s memory lives on, and her story serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and determination in solving cold cases.
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