Case of Amber Hagerman, who the AMBER Alert is named for, still unsolved 29 years later
MIT: Murder of Amber Hagerman
The case of Amber Hagerman, who the AMBER Alert is named for, is still unsolved 29 years later.
AUSTIN, Texas - The case of Amber Hagerman, who the AMBER Alert is named for, is still unsolved 29 years later.
Case of Amber Hagerman
Amber Hagerman
The backstory:
Amber Hagerman, 9, was kidnapped in Arlington, Texas, while riding her bike on Jan. 13, 1996.
Four days later, she was found murdered in a creek a few miles from her home. To this day, who killed her remains a mystery.
In 2021, on the 25th anniversary of her disappearance, Arlington police hosted a press conference with Amber's mother.
Police say this is what a witness saw.
"He described the suspect carrying Amber in that same position as she kicked and screamed to his truck putting her inside the driver-side door," Det. Grant Gildon with Arlington police said.
"I want to know why her. She was only a little girl. To Amber‘s killer, I’m asking you today to please turn yourself in, give Amber justice," Donna Williams, Amber's mother, said.
Why you should care:
After her death, the AMBER Alert system was created. It stands for "America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response."
The Texas DPS recognized National Amber Alert Day on the 29th anniversary of her disappearance. Last year, DPS activated 47 Amber Alerts across the state.
In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill adjusting the alert system in honor of Athena Strand, who was kidnapped and murdered in Wise County in 2022.
Athena's Law creates new missing alert
In this "Missing in Texas," FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen focuses on "Athena's Law," named for seven-year-old Athena Strand, who was kidnapped and murdered in Wise County last year. The law creates an Athena Alert, similar to an Amber Alert, but can be sent out more expediently.
The bill lets law enforcement issue an alert when a child goes missing before it's confirmed there was an abduction. The alert goes out to a 100-mile radius from the child's disappearance and the surrounding counties.
In Amber's case, the hope is one day her killer will be brought to justice.
"Our hope is that someone in the community saw something, maybe they didn’t come forward 25 years ago out of fear or not wanting to get involved. Whatever reason we need folks to search their minds and bring forward anything that may add value to our investigation," Gildon said previously.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen