The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Comal County Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help in solving the murder of 18-year-old Carol Deleon of San Antonio in 1981. 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 Thursday, June 4, 1981, an unidentified body of a woman was found along IH 35 in Comal County, just south of the city of New Braunfels. An autopsy later determined the victim died from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was buried as a Jane Doe in 1981; however in 2009, the Texas Rangers identified the victim as Deleon using DNA technology.
At the time of her death, Deleon lived in the West Avenue area of San Antonio and had graduated from Thomas Edison High School on May 28, 1981, just days prior to her death. She was believed to have attended a San Antonio night club on June 3, 1981. DPS is also seeking to identify the male standing with her in the photo (above right) as a possible witness.
The Comal County Crime Stoppers is offering an increased reward of up to $10,000 (for the next 30 days, expiring on Feb. 12) for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the death of Deleon. To be eligible for the cash reward, the tip must be submitted by calling 1-800-640-8422 or visiting the Comal County Crime Stoppers website at comalcrimestoppers.org
Anyone with information about this unsolved case 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: txdps.state.tx.us/TexasRangers.
(Press release from Texas Department of Public Safety)
