A 1985 murder case in Arlington has been solved. How many unsolved homicide cases remain?
The Arlington Police Department announced Wednesday that the 1985 murder of a UT Arlington student has been solved.
Terri McAdams, a 22-year-old student, was found beaten to death inside her apartment on Valentine’s Day 1985. Despite a thorough investigation of her murder, no arrests were made and the case went cold until now.
Arlington police and the FBI announced that DNA testing of a relative confirmed the killer’s identity. The killer, Bernard Sharp, took his own life months after McAdams’ death, police said. He shot himself after killing his wife and her friend and critically wounding her cousin in Arlington on Nov. 3, 1985.
While McAdams’ case has been solved, Arlington police still have several unsolved homicide cases from the 1980s.
Arlington police encourage anyone with information on the following unsolved cases to contact Sgt. Blake Ritchie at 817-459-5772 or Blake.Ritchie@ArlingtonTX.gov. People can also send anonymous tips to the Tarrant County Crime Stoppers online or at 817-469-8477 and possible receive a reward up to $1,250.
Here’s a look at the Arlington Police Department’s unsolved homicide cases from the 1980s:
Edward Wolf
- Age: 43
- Location: 5802 Polo Club Drive
- Report number: 88-91464
On Aug. 17, 1988, officers were dispatched to 5802 Polo Club Drive, reference to an investigation. Upon arrival, officers located Edward Wolf, who was deceased from a single gunshot wound.
Martin Hall
- Age: 55
- Location: 1620 Dale Drive
- Report number: 810120175
On Jan. 20, 1981, Martin Hall’s body was discovered in his home at 1620 Dale Drive. Police later determined that Hall had been stabbed to death.
Paul Charles Jr.
- Age: 32
- Location: 6200 Maple Springs Drive
- Report number: 810409191
On April 9, 1981, Paul Charles Jr.’s body was discovered at a construction site at 6200 Maple Springs Drive. Police later determined that Charles had died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Charles’ white 1974 Pontiac LeMans was found on April 14, 1981, at 1339 Rowan St. in Dallas, Texas, the parking lot of the Rowan Plaza Apartments.
Lee Grady Russell
- Age: 25
- Location: 1600 W. Interstate 30 Freeway
- Report number: 810910022
On Sept. 10, 1981, Lee Russell’s body was discovered deceased inside his vehicle after a single car accident at 1600 W. Interstate Freeway.
Police later determined that Russell had died of a gunshot wound. His vehicle was a white 1976 Ford pickup with a camper.
Sultan Kabariti
- Age: 28
- Location: 2116 Sharpshire Lane
- Report number: 840515029
On May 15, 1984, Sultan Kabariti’s body was discovered during a house fire at 2116 Sharpshire Lane. Police later determined that Kabariti died of a gunshot wound.
Jeffrey Penisten and Stephanie Jennings
- Age: Penisten (22), Jennings (19)
- Location: 2503 Spanish Park Trail
- Report number: 850509198
On May 9, 1985, the bodies of Jeffrey Penisten and Stephanie Jennings were discovered inside Veterans Park located at 2503 Spanish Park Trail. Police later determined that Penisten and Jennings died of stab wounds.
Jimmie Spurrier
- Age: 34
- Location: 2502 Plaza St.
- Report number: 860323066
On March 23, 1986, Jimmie Spurrier was killed during an attempted robbery outside a residence at 2502 Plaza St. Police later determined that Spurrier died of a gunshot wound.
Theresa Branch
- Age: 18
- Location: 1814 W. Arkansas Lane
- Report number: 860419392
On April 19, 1986, Theresa Branch’s body was discovered in the parking lot of Harmony Baptist Church at 1814 W. Arkansas Lane. Police later determined that Branch died of a gunshot wound.
Antonio Garcia
- Age: 23
- Location: 528 Ridings Place
- Report number: 860626074
On June 16, 1986, Antonio Garcia’s body was discovered in the parking lot of Countrywood Apartments at 528 Ridings Place.
Garcia was found next to his vehicle, a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Police later determined that Garcia died of a stab wound.
Patsy Wright
- Age: 43
- Location: 1816 Holm Oak Drive
- Report number: 870110129
On Oct. 23, 1987, Patsy Wright was transported to the hospital from 1816 Holm Oak Drive, and was later pronounced deceased. Police determined that Wright died from strychnine poisoning.
Eduardo Castillo
- Age: 26
- Location: 7600 W. Interstate 20 Freeway
- Report number: 890134069
On Nov. 2, 1989, Eduardo Castillo’s body was discovered in a grassy area just off of the 7600 block of West Interstate 20. Police later determined that Castillo died from blunt force trauma.
Steve Skidmore
- Age: 24
- Location: 2925 E. Abram St.
- Report number: 840518001
On May 18, 1984, Steve Skidmore’s body was discovered outside the Ecstacies club at 2925 E. Abram St. Police later determined that Skidmore died of a gunshot wound.
Fred Hunter
- Age: 71
- Location: 219 W. Main St.
- Report number: 841027130
On Oct. 27, 1984, Fred Hunter’s body was discovered inside the workroom of Watsons Department store at 219 W. Main St. It was later determined that Hunter was stabbed to death.
Adan Ponce-Deleon
- Age: 22
- Location: 509 Summit St.
- Report number: 860704075
On July 4, 1986, Adan Ponce-Deleon’s body was discovered in the parking lot of the Raquet Club Apartments at 509 Summit St. Police later determined that Ponce-Deleon died of a gunshot wound.
Emmanuel Chichi Ilo
- Age: 35
- Location: 200 Warnell Walsh Road
- Report number: 861010117
On Oct. 10, 1986, Emmanuel Chichi Ilo’s body was discovered in an open field at 200 Warnell Walsh Road.
Ilo had been reported missing on Sept. 30, 1986 in Irving. The cause and manner of death were undetermined. Ilo’s 1981 Ford Flareside Pickup was located a month later at 4800 E. Berry St. in Fort Worth.
