Travis County Sheriff Calls for Assistance in Solving Cold Cases
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Texas is appealing to the public for help in solving decades-old unresolved cases. Recently, they launched a new page on their official website dedicated to cold cases, with the aim of reaching individuals who might possess information essential to solving these mysteries. Through this initiative, they hope to bring answers and justice to the loved ones of the victims.
Organized by decade, the cold case page on the Travis County Sheriff’s Office website features cases from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The page includes photos and descriptions of each victim, while also highlighting an unidentified category for cases where the victim’s identity remains unknown. Additionally, specific cases will be periodically showcased at the top of the page to draw attention to them.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office understands the significance of utilizing various platforms to engage with the public, and as part of their efforts, they will share video vignettes providing additional information about the featured cases on their social media accounts. They hope that by reaching a wider audience, these videos will trigger memories and encourage individuals to come forward with crucial information that may have previously gone unnoticed.
Sheriff Sally Hernandez expressed her unwavering commitment to solving these cold cases, stating, While these cases may have gone cold, the Cold Case Unit’s mission to solve them has not. She empathizes with the families and loved ones of the victims, many of whom have lived without answers or justice for most of their lives. Sheriff Hernandez believes that the new cold case page and the video vignettes will serve as reminders and prompts for the public to share any pertinent information they may possess.
One of the initial cases featured on the cold case page is the 1982 murder of Ruth Elizabeth Bettis. The 19-year-old was tragically discovered shot in a pasture off Sprinkle Cutoff Road in northeast Austin. Detective Javier Hernandez, a member of the Cold Case Unit, urges anyone who may have knowledge about this case, no matter how insignificant they may think it is, to come forward and speak with authorities. The smallest detail might prove to be the missing piece that finally solves the mystery.
For those who have information related to any Travis County Sheriff’s Office cold cases, there are several avenues available to submit tips. Individuals can provide information online, call the TCSO Tip Line at 512-854-1444, contact Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477, or email the cold case unit at coldcase@traviscountytx.gov. Maintaining anonymity is possible while assisting with these ongoing investigations.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is hopeful that by tapping into the collective knowledge of the community and employing modern technology, they can finally provide closure and justice for the victims of these cold cases. Through their newly launched website page and the sharing of video vignettes, they are actively engaging the public in their mission to solve these long-standing mysteries.
