40.23 F
Batesville
February 13, 2025
State Crime

Cold Case Cracked: Little Rock Woman’s Murder Solved After Nearly 40 Years

ARLINGTON, Texas – After nearly four decades of uncertainty, the mystery surrounding the murder of a Little Rock woman has finally been solved.

On Valentine’s Day in 1985, 22-year-old Terri McAdams, a former Central High graduate and University of Arkansas undergrad, was brutally raped and killed in Arlington, Texas. McAdams had only been in Texas for six months when her family received the devastating news of her death.

Despite extensive efforts, Arlington police were unable to identify her killer until this year. According to police, the attacker had entered McAdams’ ground-floor apartment through a sliding door, but the investigation stalled for years, leaving her family in anguish.

Terri’s younger sister, Karen Hopper, recalled the emotional toll the case took on her family. “She was a great big sister, and she looked out for me,” Hopper said. “Once she passed away, I sort of had to take that role.” Hopper has been steadfast in preserving her sister’s memory, persistently contacting police over the years, hoping for a breakthrough.

That breakthrough came this summer. Arlington Police Chief Al Jones announced the news at a press conference, stating, “We got the big break that we needed, and we identified the killer.”

The investigation revealed that Bernard Sharp, a registered sex offender who lived nearby, was the perpetrator. Sharp had been questioned in 1985, but DNA evidence at the time could not conclusively link him to the crime. However, recent advances in Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) finally provided the crucial evidence needed to solve the case.

The FBI, led by Dallas special agent Chad Yarbrough, joined the investigation in recent years, utilizing IGG—a technique that has revolutionized law enforcement’s ability to solve cold cases. “Investigative Genetic Genealogy has transformed law enforcement’s ability to solve crime,” Yarbrough stated.

IGG relies on DNA databases like FamilyTreeDNA and GEDMatch, which share access with law enforcement. By constructing a family tree from forensic evidence, investigators identified a close relative of Sharp who agreed to a DNA test. The results matched DNA samples from nail clippings, a cigarette butt, and other evidence collected at the crime scene.

Despite the breakthrough, Sharp will not face justice in court. He took his own life in 1985 after murdering his wife and a friend. Although Hopper had long hoped to see her sister’s killer brought to justice, she now feels a sense of closure. “It may be more of a blessing that he is not here, so we didn’t have to go through that heartache,” she said.

Yarbrough emphasized the potential of IGG, noting that more cold cases could be solved if additional DNA services participated. “If all of the DNA databases could share their information, 95% would be solved,” Hopper added. Now, she is determined to raise awareness and encourage wider participation in these life-changing investigations.

Related posts

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More