18 Years Later: North Texas Family Continues Fight for Justice in the Homicide of Gloria Choice

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Fort Worth Family Continues Fight for Justice in 18-Year-Old Homicide Case

Nearly 18 years after the tragic death of Gloria Choice, a North Texas family is still seeking justice for their beloved mother. Choice, a 47-year-old mother of four, was killed on December 9, 2005, in a vacant unit of the Willows of Woodhaven apartment complex in Fort Worth. Her body was discovered in a back bedroom, with her pants pulled down and a fatal head injury. The motive behind the crime is believed to be sexual assault, although nothing has been confirmed.

In a recent interview with Fort Worth police detective Thomas O’Brien, he stated that although the crime scene pointed to sexual assault, no conclusive evidence has been found through DNA testing. The gruesome nature of the crime has left a lasting impact on Choice’s son, Scotti Choice, who continues to have nightmares and struggles to watch shows about murder. Scotti, now 55, still resides in the family home, surrounded by memories of his mother’s love and warmth.

Choice’s sister, Doris Valentine, remembers her sister as a strong and influential figure in her life. She recalls moments of sisterly support and closeness, and the devastating news of Choice’s death shattered her world. Valentine struggled to cope with the loss, unable to work or communicate with others without breaking down in tears.

After years of uncertainty, Michael Leon Davis was arrested for Choice’s murder on March 27, 2012. Davis had initially flagged down an officer just days after Choice’s body was found, claiming to have information about her death. During an interview with the original detective on the case, Davis implicated a man known as “Dre” in Choice’s murder. However, when interviewed by Detective O’Brien, “Dre” denied any involvement and passed a polygraph test.

During the investigation, another witness identified a man nicknamed “Smokey” as the killer. It took several years for the witness to positively identify Davis as “Smokey” in a lineup. However, the lack of physical evidence and conflicting statements from Davis led to his release just two days later.

The news of Davis’ release devastated Choice’s family, who had hoped for closure and justice. Choice’s children, Tawnya Thomas and Billy Thomas Jr., expressed their anger and frustration at the lack of progress in the case. Tawnya even taunted Davis on social media, referring to him as “Mr. Killer.”

Despite the setback, Choice’s family and the Fort Worth Police Department remain determined to find justice. Detective O’Brien acknowledges the challenges of the case, but remains hopeful that new genetic genealogy testing and advancements in cold case investigations may provide answers in the future.

The unresolved homicide of Gloria Choice serves as a reminder of the pain and suffering experienced by countless families awaiting justice for their loved ones. As the fight for closure continues, the community stands in solidarity with the Choice family, hoping that one day they will find the justice they seek..