Carla Walker Texas Senator John Cornyn is currently introducing new legislation to provide federal funding in the solving of cold cases by using the cutting-dege crime fighting tool of Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG). Dubbed the Carla Walker Act, this would provide much needed funding to corporations such as Othram Inc. who are leading the way in this specialized field of genetics
Carla Walker (17) was abducted from Brunswick Ridglea Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on February 17th 1974 as she sat with her boyfriend in the parking lot. An unknown white male wrenched open the car door while brandishing a gun and pistol whipped Rodney McCoy, before grabbing the young woman and disappearing into the night. Three days later, on February 20th 1974, her battered and bruised body was found in a culvert in Lake Benbrook. The autopsy showed she had been drugged and kept alive for two days, having been tortured, raped and strangled to death. It would take 46 years to identify her killer as Glen Samuel McCurley (77), who was snared in 2020 through DNA left on her clothing by way of forensic genetic genealogy performed at Othram laboratories. Despite the DNA being heavily degraded, a full profile was achieved and closely matched family members of the killer, leading to his arrest and eventful conviction on August 24th 2021. He escaped any real justice, dying in a Texas state prison on July 15th 2023.
Carla Walker (17) was abducted from Brunswick Ridglea Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on February 17th 1974 as she sat with her boyfriend in the parking lot. An unknown white male wrenched open the car door while brandishing a gun and pistol whipped Rodney McCoy, before grabbing the young woman and disappearing into the night. Three days later, on February 20th 1974, her battered and bruised body was found in a culvert in Lake Benbrook. The autopsy showed she had been drugged and kept alive for two days, having been tortured, raped and strangled to death. It would take 46 years to identify her killer as Glen Samuel McCurley (77), who was snared in 2020 through DNA left on her clothing by way of forensic genetic genealogy performed at Othram laboratories. Despite the DNA being heavily degraded, a full profile was achieved and closely matched family members of the killer, leading to his arrest and eventful conviction on August 24th 2021. He escaped any real justice, dying in a Texas state prison on July 15th 2023.
Paul Holes In an interview with Houston's KPRC 2 news channel, retired law enforcement officer Paul Holes, instrumental in the Golden State Killer case, was asked what other cases may be solved with the assistance of federal funding. He stated "One case I had involvement with out in the Bay Area was the Zodiac case - that is still an unsolved case - and it's a very high profile case. If they can identify DNA from that offender, then this technology potentially could solve one of the biggest mysteries out there".
There are 30+ communications connected to the Zodiac case, with DNA having already been sourced from one Zodiac letter mailed on April 24th 1978. With extra funding and an unbiased approach in testing all the contested communications mailed in the name of the Zodiac Killer, we can only hope for better news in the near future.
There are 30+ communications connected to the Zodiac case, with DNA having already been sourced from one Zodiac letter mailed on April 24th 1978. With extra funding and an unbiased approach in testing all the contested communications mailed in the name of the Zodiac Killer, we can only hope for better news in the near future.