Crime

Look back at some of Fort Worth’s most famous cold cases and the role of DNA

Stories by Fort Worth Star-Telegram journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories examines how DNA and modern genealogy tools are helping resolve unsolved cases in Fort Worth.

Recent breakthroughs include the identification of Melissa Highsmith, who reunited with her family after 51 years, and the cracked case of Carla Walker, whose killer was caught through advanced forensic analysis. Police used DNA testing to match remains found in 2023 with Taalibah Fatin Bint Islam, resolving a 17-year-old disappearance.

Families of the Fort Worth Missing Trio still hope genetic techniques or other leads can provide answers for their loved ones. The creation of the FWPD Cold Case Support Group and public walks like Thaw The Cold Cases show how communities rally for more tools and funding. Law enforcement now explores digitizing physical evidence and looks to new federal legislation, including the Carla Walker Act, to boost the use of cutting-edge forensic methods.

From left, Julie Ann Moseley, Renee Wilson and Rachel Trlica disappeared on Dec. 23, 1974. Their families have been searching for them for over 50 years. By Photo illustration by Amanda McCoy

NO. 1: ‘IT’S LIKE THEY JUST VANISHED’: FOR FAMILIES OF FORT WORTH MISSING TRIO, 50 YEARS OF ANGUISH

Three girls went Christmas shopping on Dec. 23, 1974. They never came home. | Published December 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

Melissa Highsmith was reunited with her parents, Alta Apantenco and Jeffrie Highsmith, 51 years after she was kidnapped in Fort Worth, Texas, the family announced in 2022.

NO. 2: WOMAN KIDNAPPED AS CHILD FOUND 51 YEARS LATER IN FORT WORTH

Melissa Highsmith was 22 months old when she was abducted by a babysitter in 1971. She met her parents and two of her siblings more than 50 years later, the family said. | Published November 28, 2022 | Read Full Story by Amy McDaniel

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that human remains found in early March 2023 in Fort Worth were identified as Taalibah Fatin Bint Islam, who was reported missing in 2006.

NO. 3: DNA IDENTIFIES HUMAN REMAINS OF FORT WORTH WOMAN WHO DISAPPEARED IN 2006

Taalibah Fatin Bint Islam was reported missing a few days after seeing her ex-boyfriend, Christopher Revill, who was sentenced to life in 2019 in the kidnapping of another ex-girlfriend. | Published July 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Nicole Lopez

Cheryl Springfield’s only child, Scott Allen Springfield, grew up without his mother and died July 28, 2023, at the age of 45.

NO. 4: ‘TIME IS RUNNING OUT’: FAMILY OF CHRISTMAS 1980 MURDER VICTIM NEEDS ANSWERS

Cheryl Lynn Springfield was 21 when she was killed near her Christmas tree. Her sister has spent 44 years keeping her memory alive. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

The Jack County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers have identified the victim of a 1984 homicide as Roberta Mumma, shown on the left in a yearbook photo and on the right in an age-progression image.

NO. 5: NORTH TEXAS HOMICIDE VICTIM WHOSE SKELETAL REMAINS WERE FOUND IN 1984 IDENTIFIED WITH DNA

The victim was identified as Roberta Mumma, according to the Texas Rangers. She was 25 at the time of her death 40 years ago. | Published July 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Nicole Lopez

Dozens of Fort Worth cold case family members walked from the Charles H. Haws Athletic Center to the Tarrant County Courthouse on April 19, 2025, with photos of their loved ones. The group aims to raise awareness about the city’s nearly 1,000 unsolved homicides and call for more resources to investigate them By Harriet Ramos

NO. 6: ‘I JUST CAN’T GIVE UP HOPE’: FORT WORTH COLD CASE FAMILIES SHARE THEIR STORIES

Many hope advanced DNA testing could solve their loved ones’ case. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

Fort Worth police Detectives Leah Wagner and Jeff Bennett spoke with NBC’s Dateline for an episode on Carla Walker. Wagner and Bennett worked tirelessly on Carla’s case and utilized forensic genealogy and new DNA extraction technology to zero in on Glen McCurley as Carla’s killer.

NO. 7: INTERESTED IN COLD CASES? NOW YOU CAN DIRECTLY HELP FORT WORTH INVESTIGATIONS.

Fort Worth has more than 30 active cold cases. | Published June 23, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kaley Johnson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.