The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is asking for the public’s help in solving the 1993 Caldwell County murder of Latricia White and the connected missing persons case of Lee “Dub” Wackerhagen and his son, Chance. As part of a DPS public awareness program, one unsolved case is featured by the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Team each month in an effort to generate new investigative leads and bring added attention to unresolved or “cold cases” across the state.
On December 27, 1993, White, 38, was found deceased in her home in McMahan, Texas; she had been shot. White was the mother of two and recently divorced. At the time of her death, White had guests – Lee Wackerhagen and his 9-year-old son – staying with her during the holidays. Both Wackerhagen and his son Chance have been missing since the day of the murder, and investigators now have evidence that both males also were victims of foul play. Investigators found nothing in the home appeared to be missing and believe that this murder was most likely a crime of passion committed by someone closely associated to one or more of the victims.
Since Chance Wackerhagen was living in Kingsville at the time of his disappearance, Kingsville Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information that leads to the whereabouts of Chance. To be eligible for the reward, a tipster must call the Texas Crime Stoppers line or Kingsville Crime Stoppers at 1-877-553-2374 or online at www.tipsubmit.com – all tips can be offered anonymously.
Individuals can also submit a tip through the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website or contact the Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3243.
The Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Team was created to assist Texas law enforcement agencies investigating unsolved murders or what appear to be serial or linked criminal transactions. Since there is no statute of limitations for the offense of murder, investigators pursue these cases to a successful resolution; or until no other lead is viable.
In addition, DPS created the Texas Rangers’ Unsolved Homicides webpage aimed at renewing public interest in unsolved cases. The site features the division’s Top 12 Unsolved Cold Case Investigations, which includes two cases from each of the state’s six DPS regions. For more information, visit the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website at:
http://www.dps.texas.gov/TexasRangers/UnsolvedHomicides/index.htm.
(News release from the Texas DPS)
