The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is asking for the public’s help in solving the 1988 murders of Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly, of San Angelo. 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 July 4, 1988, Stewart and McNelly attended a fireworks display at Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo. The following morning, a lake ranger discovered Stewart’s abandoned 1980 Chevrolet Camaro parked near O.C. Fisher Reservoir, several miles from Lake Nasworthy. Stewart and McNelly subsequently were determined to be missing.
In November of the same year, the bodies of Stewart and McNelly were discovered in close proximity to each other and near the Twin Buttes Reservoir. Autopsies revealed both victims died of gunshot wounds.
San Angelo Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the deaths of Stewart and McNelly. To be eligible for the cash reward, the tip must be submitted by calling 1-800-756-3434 or visiting the San Angelo Crime Stoppers website at http://www.sanangelocrimestoppers.com/index.aspx.
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)