Texas police still searching for answers on murder of Kristen Lea Wilson in 1996
Photo courtesy Texas Department of Public Safety of Kristen Lea Wilson. She was found dead inside her apartment on November 28, 1996.
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is asking the public for help with information in a cold case out of Harris County. DPS is asking for information on the 1996 murder of 29-year-old Kristen Lea Wilson of Houston.
On November 28, 1996, Wilson did not arrive at her family's home for Thanksgiving dinner. Her parents went to her apartment on Meadowglen Lane in southwest Houston and found the door unlocked and Wilson dead inside.
Authorities believe Wilson’s assailant broke into her apartment before she came home, waited for her to arrive, and then strangled her. Wilson was found partially nude, and she may have been sexually assaulted by her attacker, as well. Investigators determined that nothing was taken from her apartment. Wilson was last seen alive the day prior, on Nov. 27.
The Houston Police Department (HPD) investigated the case extensively, but no leads were developed. The Texas Rangers are assisting HPD with the investigation. During the course of the investigation, several people were cleared from suspicion, but no suspects were identified.
Anyone with details regarding the homicide is asked to come forward with information.
An increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible if the tip is received before the next featured cold case is announced. A $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest is routinely offered on all cases on the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website.
To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). All tips are anonymous. Individuals can also submit information through the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website or by phone to the Missing Person Hotline at 1-800-346-3243.