Investigators Arrest Suspect, Seek Identity of 1990 Murder Victim

July 14, 2008 - Houston police homicide investigators have identified a suspect in the October 18, 1990 murder of a still unidentified female victim found in a drainage ditch at 9600 Beechnut and have re-released two composite sketches of the female in efforts to help identify her.

The suspect, Terrence Tyrone Johnson (b/m, DOB: 1-25-69), is charged with murder in 208th State District Court. He is accused in the killing of a still unidentified young woman whose body was found badly decomposed. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the woman had suffered head trauma, but despite painstaking efforts has not been able to formally identify her.

As a result, homicide investigators are re-releasing two composite sketches of the female. One is a reconstruction sketch of what she likely looked like and the other shows the articles of clothing she was wearing when she was located. The composite sketches, originally released in 1991, are attached to this news release.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant P.C. Motard and Senior Police Officer C.P. Abbondandolo reported:

Children playing in the area of the 9600 block of Beechnut found the deceased female. The autopsy performed on the victim revealed she had been struck in the head with an object.

New information was developed in the case last month (June), leading investigators to interview an inmate (Johnson) in a Texas Department of Corrections prison unit in Wichita Falls, Texas. Johnson provided investigators with a statement that led to murder charges filed against him.

Investigators are doing everything they can to identify the victim in this case. She was described as being Hispanic, 18 to 22 years old, and about 5 feet tall with black hair. She was wearing a distinctive gray T-shirt with “Marine’s Sport” on the front, along with black pants. Based on new information, the woman lived in the area she was found and she might have a first name of Cassandra.

Anyone with information on the identity of the female victim is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

At 2:30 p.m. TODAY (Monday, July 14), an investigator in the HPD Homicide Division will be available to answer questions in this case in the media briefing room on the first floor of HPD Headquarters at 1200 Travis.

JFC/VHS
Inc #109511790

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.