Why I Continue Investigating the Texas Killing Fields: Every Victim Deserves to Be Remembered
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
People often ask why I continue investigating murders that happened more than 50 years ago.
They wonder why I file public records requests. They ask why I travel hundreds of miles to interview witnesses. They also question why I keep digging into cases that many people have forgotten.
When I began researching the Texas Killing Fields, one issue quickly bothered me.
Old news reports often focused on how the victims died. Police records also placed heavy attention on their circumstances. Those accounts did not always show who the women were or how they lived.
Authorities described some victims as runaways. Others struggled with addiction or lived through difficult times. Reports also linked some women to prostitution.
Those labels often overshadowed their identities.
Investigators first viewed Laura Miller as a possible runaway. Reports also associated Carolyn Sosa and Teri McDaniel with prostitution.
Those descriptions may have been accurate, incomplete or unfair. Either way, they often became the focus of the story.
The victims deserved better.
No one should disappear from history because of a label.
My investigation has taken me across Texas and beyond.
I have tracked down key witnesses. I have interviewed retired investigators. I have reviewed thousands of pages of public records.
I have also examined evidence that many people have never seen.
Each interview raises another question. Every record leads to another document. One conversation can reveal a missing piece of history.
Some discoveries involve unidentified remains. Others involve witnesses who were overlooked years ago. Records may also expose decisions that still raise questions today.
I do not investigate these cases to sensationalize tragedy.
I investigate because every victim mattered.
A person’s past should never decide how much effort investigators make. It should not affect whether authorities search for them or work to solve their murder.
A straight-A student had value. A runaway had value. A woman struggling with addiction had value. A person living on the streets had value.
Their circumstances did not make their lives less important.
Justice should never depend on someone’s background.
My investigations sometimes require travel across Texas and beyond. When I need a place to stay near an interview, courthouse or records office, I compare available hotels through Hotels.com.
I also rely on practical tools while reviewing old case files. A portable document scannerhelps me preserve records, photographs and handwritten notes.
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Rhonda Renee Johnson, left, and Sharon Lynn Shaw disappeared after leaving Webster for a trip to Galveston on August 4, 1971. Public-domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
New Records Raise Questions About Unidentified Remains in Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw Investigation
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
More than five decades after the murders of Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw, newly reviewed records are raising questions about additional human remains found in the area. The records also raise the possibility that investigators once considered whether another person played a role in the case.
Rhonda Johnson, 14, and Sharon Shaw, 13, disappeared from Galveston County in August 1971. Authorities later recovered their skeletal remains in and around Clear Lake along Galveston Bay.
The investigation continued for decades as detectives worked to identify remains, examine evidence and determine whether the discoveries connected to the two girls.
The records do not prove that another victim or another killer was connected to the murders. However, they show how much uncertainty investigators faced during the early stages of the case.
Remains of Sharon Shaw and Rhonda Johnson Identified
On January 3, 1972, two boys fishing in Clear Lake discovered a human skull floating in the water.
Authorities later identified the skull through dental records as belonging to Sharon Shaw. Investigators also reportedly found a crucifix around the jawbone that Sharon’s mother identified as her daughter’s.
About six weeks later, searchers recovered additional skeletal remains in a marsh near Clear Lake. Authorities identified one set of those remains as belonging to Rhonda Johnson.
The discoveries confirmed that both girls had died, but investigators could not determine their exact causes of death from the remains.
The identification resolved the girls’ missing-person cases, but other remains recovered during that period created additional questions.
Michael Lloyd Self Was Convicted
Investigators eventually focused on Michael Lloyd Self, who worked as a gas station attendant in the Webster/Clear Lake area. Authorities charged Self in connection with the murders of Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw
A jury convicted Self of murdering Sharon Shaw and sentenced him to life in prison. The court record confirms that his conviction involved Sharon’s murder; he was not convicted of Rhonda Johnson’s murder.
Self later said police had threatened and physically abused him until he confessed. Questions about whether investigators obtained a false or coerced confession followed the case for decades. A federal judge once recommended relief based on the confession issue, although a later appeals court decision allowed the conviction to stand.
Edward Harold Bell Became an Alternate Suspect
Michael Lloyd Self was convicted in Sharon Shaw’s murder, though questions later emerged about his confession and whether he was responsible.
In 1998, convicted killer Edward Harold Bell claimed responsibility for the murders of several young women and girls in the Galveston-area region. His statements included two girls from Webster who disappeared in August 1971, which investigators associated with Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw.
Bell became an alternate suspect in their murders, but authorities never charged him in the case. Investigators reportedly lacked physical or biological evidence that conclusively connected Bell to the girls’ deaths.
Bell’s claims increased doubts about Self’s conviction, but they did not officially resolve who killed Rhonda and Sharon.
Questions Surrounding Other Remains
Records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose indicate authorities recovered an unidentified torso in September 1971.
Investigators reportedly found clothing or personal items with or near the remains that they believed belonged to Phillip Manning. Those items initially led authorities to consider whether the torso might be Manning’s.
Authorities later located Manning alive in Louisiana. That confirmed the torso was not his.
The discovery still raised questions about the unidentified victim’s identity and whether another victim—or possibly another killer—may have been connected to the investigation. However, the records reviewed so far do not establish that the torso was connected to the murders of Rhonda Johnson or Sharon Shaw.
Records Detail Manning’s Background
The records also include criminal-history and case information connected to Phillip Manning. That material may help explain why investigators examined his possible connection to the case.
However, the records do not establish that Manning killed Rhonda Johnson, Sharon Shaw or anyone else. The information surrounding him remained circumstantial, and the records reviewed so far do not show that authorities filed a case against him in connection with the girls’ murders.
Investigators Faced Difficult Conditions
Galveston shoreline and Gulf waters at sunset
The discoveries occurred during a period when severe weather affected portions of the Texas Gulf Coast.
Tropical storms Edith and Fern moved through the region in September 1971, potentially complicating searches, recovery efforts and investigators’ ability to determine where remains had originally entered the water.
Water movement, weather conditions and the passage of time may have made it more difficult to connect separate remains to specific locations or victims.
Investigators in 1971 also did not have access to the DNA testing and modern forensic databases available today.
Identifications often depended heavily on dental comparisons, physical characteristics and other available medical evidence.
Was Another Killer Suspected?
The records raise an important question: Did investigators believe the additional remains pointed to another victim—or possibly another offender operating in the area?
The documents reviewed so far do not provide a definitive answer.
They instead show that authorities were dealing with several discoveries, uncertain identifications and incomplete information during the earliest stages of the investigation.
Any suggestion that another killer was involved should be treated as a theory unless additional police reports, forensic findings or official statements support it.
Questions That Still Need Answers
Several important questions remain:
Who exactly was Phillip Manning?
Why did investigators connect his name to the torso?
Was the torso ever conclusively identified?
Did Manning have any documented connection to Rhonda Johnson or Sharon Shaw?
What did investigators believe before the girls’ remains were fully identified?
Are additional reports or forensic records still available?
Those questions may be important in understanding not only what investigators knew, but also how the case evolved during its earliest months.
Investigation Continues to Draw Interest
Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw traveled from Webster to Galveston on August 4, 1971, before they disappeared.
The murders of Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw remain among the most discussed cases connected to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Decades later, old reports, forensic findings and previously overlooked names continue to generate new questions.
The records do not yet prove that another killer was involved. But they show that the investigation may have been more complex than the public understood—and that parts of the story may still be missing.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose will continue reviewing available records and seeking documentation that could clarify the identity of the additional remains and Phillip Manning’s possible connection to the investigation.
When reviewing decades-old police reports, newspaper clippings and case files, a waterproof document organizer can help protect important records from spills, moisture and damage.
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Visitors researching Galveston County history or spending time along the Texas Gulf Coast can compare hotels and available accommodations through Hotels.com.
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A closer look at the disappearance and murders of Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw, the recovery of their remains and the questions that continue decades later.
Rhonda Renee Johnson, left, and Sharon Lynn Shaw disappeared after traveling from Webster to Galveston on August 4, 1971.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Two teenage friends left Webster for a summer day in Galveston on August 4, 1971. They never returned home.
Nearly 55 years later, the deaths of Rhonda Renee Johnson and Sharon Lynn Shaw remain surrounded by painful questions, a controversial confession and competing claims about who was responsible.
Rhonda was 14 years old. Sharon was 13 and just days away from her 14th birthday.
Their case became one of the earliest and most troubling mysteries associated with a series of young women and girls who disappeared across the Houston-Galveston region during the 1970s.
A Summer Trip to Galveston
Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw traveled from Webster to Galveston on August 4, 1971, before they disappeared.
According to federal court records, Sharon and Rhonda were last seen on August 4, 1971, after leaving Webster for a day trip to Galveston, about 25 miles away.
The two friends reportedly spent time near the beach and Galveston Seawall. However, they did not make it home that evening.
Their disappearance launched a search that continued for months.
Their Remains Were Found Months Later
On January 3, 1972, human remains were discovered in the Clear Lake area.
Additional remains were found several weeks later. Authorities identified the victims as Sharon Shaw and Rhonda Johnson.
The medical examiner could not determine the cause of their deaths because there was no identifiable damage to the bones or skulls, according to the federal appellate record.
The discovery confirmed the families’ worst fears. However, determining who killed the girls would become far more complicated.
Michael Lloyd Self Was Convicted
Michael Lloyd Self was convicted in Sharon Shaw’s death after the teenagers disappeared following a trip to Galveston in August 1971. This Galveston beach image is illustrative.
Investigators eventually focused on Michael Lloyd Self, a Galveston-area gas station attendant.
Self signed a confession after being questioned by police. He later withdrew it and claimed officers had threatened and physically abused him until he confessed.
Self was prosecuted for Sharon Shaw’s murder and received a life sentence. His conviction was upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Questions about the confession followed the case for decades.
In 1991, a federal district court granted Self’s request for habeas relief after finding that his confession had been obtained in violation of his constitutional rights. However, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed that decision and allowed the conviction to stand.
Self maintained his innocence and died in prison in 2000.
A Second Man Claimed Responsibility
Edward Harold Bell in a 1978 Pasadena Police Department mugshot. Bell later claimed responsibility for several killings in Southeast Texas, but he was never charged in the deaths of Rhonda Johnson or Sharon Shaw. Image credited to the Pasadena Police Department; source copy via Wikipedia/Houston Chronicle.
Years later, convicted murderer Edward Harold Bell claimed he had killed several girls across Southeast Texas during the 1970s.
Bell referred to the victims as the “Eleven that went to Heaven.” His claims reportedly included two girls from Webster who disappeared after visiting Galveston in 1971.
Those details were believed to refer to Sharon and Rhonda.
Investigators familiar with Bell’s statements said portions of his accounts appeared to match information from several cases. However, Bell was never charged with killing Sharon or Rhonda.
Bell was serving a prison sentence for the 1978 murder of Larry Dickens when he died in 2019.
Families Were Left Without Definitive Answers
The conviction of Michael Self remained legally intact. Still, some investigators and members of the victims’ families came to believe Bell may have been responsible.
That leaves a difficult conflict at the center of the case.
One man was convicted based largely on a confession he said was forced. Another man later claimed responsibility but was never prosecuted in connection with the girls’ deaths.
No DNA evidence or weapon publicly connected Bell to the murders. His death ended any possibility that he-would face a trial or further questioning in court.
Remembering Rhonda and Sharon
Rhonda Renee Johnson, left, and Sharon Lynn Shaw disappeared after leaving Webster for a trip to Galveston on August 4, 1971. Public-domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
The competing accusations can easily overshadow the two young victims.
Rhonda and Sharon were teenage friends enjoying the final weeks of summer. Their families expected them to return home after a day at the beach.
Instead, August 4 became an anniversary marked by loss and unanswered questions.
As the 55th anniversary approaches, the most important part of this story remains the lives that were taken.
Rhonda Renee Johnson and Sharon Lynn Shaw should be remembered by their names—not simply as entries on a list of Texas cold cases.
Their families deserved clear answers then. They still deserve them today.
Related Texas Killing Fields Coverage
James Elmore Jr. booking photo. His trial is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 31, 2026, in Galveston County.
The questions surrounding Sharon and Rhonda are part of a much larger history of disappearances and deaths along the Interstate 45 corridor between Houston and Galveston.
The upcoming trial of James Elmore Jr. is also expected to renew attention on the Calder Road area known as the Texas Killing Fields.
Elmore is charged in connection with the death of Laura Miller and allegations involving the movement of human remains. His jury trial is currently scheduled to begin August 31 in Galveston County’s 122nd District Court.
This story is based on available court records and previously published reporting. Some allegations were never proven in court. Edward Harold Bell was never charged with the deaths of Rhonda Johnson or Sharon Shaw.
Many people visit Galveston to explore its history, beaches and landmarks. Travelers looking for a place to stay can compare Galveston hotels, prices and availability through Hotels.com before planning their trip.
I may earn a commission if you book through Hotels.com, at no additional cost to you.
Recommended True-Crime Reading
Readers interested in researching historic cases may find a Texas road atlas helpful for understanding the distance between Webster, Galveston, Clear Lake and other locations connected to the investigation.
A portable document organizer can also help keep court records, timelines, printed articles and handwritten notes arranged while researching a complicated cold case.
James Elmore Jr. booking photo. His trial is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 31, 2026, in Galveston County.
James Elmore Jr. Trial Moves Forward
Nearly four decades after several young women were found murdered and their bodies abandoned near Calder Road in Galveston County, the case against James Elmore Jr. continues moving toward trial.
For many victims’ families, the upcoming court proceedings represent another chance to finally see justice.
After checking the Galveston County court docket, I confirmed the case is still moving forward.
According to the current schedule:
Discovery Conference: August 10, 2026
Pretrial Conference: August 21, 2026
Jury Trial: August 31, 2026
The trial is scheduled in the 122nd District Court before Judge Jeth Jones.
If the schedule remains unchanged, I plan to attend the trial and provide updates from the courtroom.
Laura Miller’s Family Has Waited Decades for Answers
Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, has assisted in hundreds of missing persons cases across Texas and the United States.
Laura Miller was last seen on September 10, 1984, after stopping at a convenience store in League City to use a pay phone. Her mother had dropped her off because the family’s phone had not yet been connected after they moved into the area.
Laura never returned home.
Memorial sign highlighting four victims whose cases have been linked to the same recovery site during the investigation into Clyde Hedrick and several unsolved homicides.
Nearly 17 months later, on February 2, 1986, her remains were discovered in a wooded area near Calder Road. During that same search, investigators also found the remains of Audrey Cook.
For both families, the upcoming trial comes after decades of unanswered questions.
In an earlier interview, Texas EquuSearch founder Tim Miller discussed Laura Miller’s disappearance, the years of searching, and why the case has remained so important to investigators and her family.
Watch: Tim Miller Discusses Laura Miller’s Disappearance
Charges Against James Elmore Jr.
James Elmore Jr. booking photo. He is scheduled to stand trial beginning Aug. 31, 2026, in Galveston County.
James Elmore Jr. remains jailed while awaiting trial.
According to jail records, he faces the following charges:
Manslaughter
Two counts of tampering with physical evidence involving a human corpse
Possession of visual material depicting sexual assault
Possession of child sexual abuse material
His total bond is listed at $4.5 million.
As with all criminal cases, these charges are allegations, and James Elmore Jr. is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Clyde Hedrick Died Before Additional Charges Could Be Filed
Clyde Hedrick was convicted in the murder of Ellen Beason. Investigators were preparing to charge him in additional cases before his death in March 2026.
The upcoming trial follows the death of Clyde Hedrick, who for years had been publicly linked to several Texas Killing Fields investigations.
Authorities were reportedly preparing additional charges against Hedrick. However, on March 21, 2026, Hedrick removed his breathing tube and died before those charges could be filed.
Hedrick was convicted only in the death of Ellen Beason. He served prison time for that case and was on parole when he died.
Trial Could Bring Long-Awaited Answers
Whether new evidence or testimony emerges during the trial remains to be seen.
However, for the families of Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and others connected to the Calder Road investigations, the upcoming proceedings represent another opportunity to seek answers after nearly 40 years.
I’ll continue monitoring the Galveston County court docket and, if the trial remains on schedule, will be in the courtroom beginning August 31 to provide updates.
Whether you’re traveling to attend court proceedings or visiting Galveston Island, you can compare hotels throughout Galveston County before your trip.
As I continue covering cold cases and court proceedings, a reliable body camera is an important part of documenting interactions in the field. This is similar to the type of equipment many journalists and investigators use.
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Historical records, court documents and Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison notebook are compared to examine which Roy Alan Stuart allegations were already publicly documented and which appear only in McGowen’s account.
What Did Roy Alan Stuart Tell Kent McGowen? Comparing Public Records to Alleged Prison Confessions
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
For decades, investigators, journalists and law enforcement agencies have documented Roy Alan Stuart’s criminal history and alleged connections to unsolved murders across Texas.
Years later, former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen says Stuart discussed many of those crimes while the two were incarcerated together at the Duncan Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
This investigation compares McGowen’s interview with historical newspaper articles, court records and investigative records to separate information that was already part of the public record from allegations McGowen says Stuart shared privately in prison.
Former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen describes conversations he says he had with Roy Alan Stuart in prison. This article compares McGowen’s account with historical public records and court documents.
Historical court records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose show Roy Alan Stuart’s documented criminal cases and investigations before comparing them with allegations discussed by Joseph Kent McGowen during their time in prison.
Historical newspaper articles, court records and investigative files already linked Roy Alan Stuart to numerous investigations before McGowen’s interview.
Memorial image of Terri Denise McDaniels, whose 1986 homicide is among the historical investigations discussed in comparison with Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison interview about Roy Alan Stuart.
Terri Denise McDaniels, 26, was found dead near Pearland on Nov. 5, 1986. She worked out of Houston’s LaMonte Hotel. Investigators determined she died from strangulation or suffocation, and her homicide remains unsolved.
Historical reports state friends last saw McDaniels leaving the LaMonte Hotel with a white man driving a small, light-blue station wagon.
Less than five months later, investigators found Carolyn Sosa dead in Bastrop Bayou. Like McDaniels, Sosa frequented the LaMonte Hotel and died from strangulation. Historical records identify Sosa as one of the witnesses interviewed during the McDaniels investigation.
Investigators later focused on Roy Alan Stuart in both cases. Records show witnesses identified Stuart as the man who picked up both women, and investigators found Sosa’s fingerprints and hair inside his car. Prosecutors charged Stuart in both murders, but a judge later dismissed the charges. Both homicides remain unsolved.
McGowen also described several additional investigations during his prison interview. Some of those claims could not be independently matched to historical records.
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Potter County Nun Investigation
A page from Joseph Kent McGowen’s handwritten prison notebook references the Potter County nun investigation. Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose compared the notes with historical newspaper articles and court records as part of this investigation.
Historical records already identified Roy Alan Stuart as a suspect in the Potter County nun investigation.
McGowen says Stuart later described the case to him in prison and claimed he concealed the victim beneath an overturned cattle trough before investigators eventually returned him to the scene.
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Telephone Road Account Compared to Public Records
A July 2023 text message reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose shows former Brazoria County investigator Matt Wingo believed the woman McGowen described during his Telephone Road account was Carolyn Sosa.
According to McGowen, Stuart claimed he picked up a Black woman dressed as a cowgirl during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo along Telephone Road before taking her to Brazoria County.
McGowen said Stuart described sexually assaulting the woman, attempting to strangle her with a seat belt before shooting her with a .22-caliber pistol. He also claimed Stuart said a fisherman witnessed the attack from a nearby boat.
Friends told investigators they last saw her leaving the LaMonte Hotel with a man driving a small, light-blue station wagon. Prosecutors later charged Roy Alan Stuart after witnesses identified him as the man who picked up Sosa and investigators found her fingerprints and hair inside his car.
Prosecutors later dismissed the murder charge.
McGowen also described additional details that do not appear in the historical records reviewed for this story.
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Alleged Murder-for-Hire Involving a Deputy Constable
Roy Alan Stuart died May 10, 2019, while in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
McGowen claimed Stuart said someone paid him about $3,000 to kill a deputy constable.
McGowen says Stuart claimed the deputy used a wheelchair and lived on the same property as Stuart near a junkyard.
McGowen’s handwritten notes also contain the entry:
“Lived w/ BC Constable & family from ’82-’84 yrs.”
The notebook does not identify the deputy constable or explain whether that notation relates to the alleged murder-for-hire.
A page from Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison notebook referencing an alleged murder-for-hire involving a deputy constable and other notes McGowen says Roy Alan Stuart discussed while they were incarcerated together.
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Tomball Kidnapping and Murder
McGowen says Stuart described abducting a woman from a Tomball bar before murdering her.
According to McGowen, Stuart claimed his mother and sister later helped hide clothing connected to the killing.
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Bodies Allegedly Dumped Near the Brazos River
McGowen says Stuart described disposing of numerous bodies behind a trailer near the Brazos River.
According to McGowen, Stuart remarked, “You don’t know what crabs would do to a body.”
McGowen also says Stuart claimed a barge later struck and destroyed the dock near the property where the bodies had allegedly been dumped.
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Alleged Murders With a .22-Caliber Pistol
McGowen says Stuart claimed several women were killed with the same .22-caliber handgun before the weapon was later burned inside a red Pontiac Fiero after multiple killings, with the vehicle’s location remaining unknown.
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Women Near a Community College
McGowen says Stuart mentioned women disappearing around a local community college but did not identify any victims by name or provide dates.
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Alleged First Homicide at Age 10
McGowen says Stuart claimed his first homicide occurred when he was 10 years old.
According to McGowen, Stuart said his father forced him to beat an uncle to death in Arkansas after accusing the man of sexually abusing chickens.
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Other Allegations Discussed
McGowen’s interview also included allegations involving:
An aggravated kidnapping victim who allegedly escaped naked to the neighboring home of a deputy sheriff, leading to Stuart’s arrest.
Stuart allegedly attempting to drown his wife in Arkansas.
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Comparing McGowen’s Account to Public Records
Comparing McGowen’s interview with historical records reveals two distinct categories of information.
Many of the investigations discussed—including Carolyn Sosa, Terri McDaniels, Linda Kay Simmons and the Potter County nun investigation—were already documented through historical reporting, court records and investigative files before McGowen’s interview.
Other allegations, including the deputy constable murder-for-hire, the Tomball account, the Brazos River disposal site, the alleged first homicide at age 10 and several other prison stories, were not located in the historical records reviewed for this comparison.
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Editor’s Note
This article compares statements made by former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen during a prison interview with historical newspaper articles, court records and investigative records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. The purpose of this comparison is to distinguish information that had already been documented in the public record from allegations McGowen says Roy Alan Stuart shared with him while the two were incarcerated. The comparison reflects the records reviewed for this investigation and is not intended to establish the truth of any allegation discussed in McGowen’s interview.
Related Reading
If you’re interested in unsolved crimes, investigative reporting, or the history of serial homicide investigations, you may also enjoy these books:
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For nearly 40 years, Donna Sanchez has searched for answers about what happened to her mother, Carolyn Sosa.
After Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose reached out during an ongoing investigation into former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen’s prison diaries and Roy Alan Stuart’s alleged prison confessions, Donna shared family memories, court records and historical documents she hopes could help bring renewed attention to her mother’s unsolved murder.
“I was seven years old when my mother died,” Donna said. “She was strangled and thrown into Bastrop Bayou.”
Carolyn Sosa Case
After speaking with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, Donna Sanchez shared family memories, court records, historical documents, newspaper articles, and text messages related to the Carolyn Sosa investigation.
Donna believes Roy Alan Stuart murdered her mother, Carolyn Sosa, and hopes the records contribute to another review of the case.
Some of the historical records overlap with information gathered during this investigation, including details Kent McGowen says Roy Alan Stuart shared while the two were incarcerated together. Readers can review the original source documents below and draw their own conclusions.
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Who Was Carolyn Sosa?
Carolyn Sosa was 33 years old when she disappeared in March 1987. Investigators believe she was last seen leaving Houston’s LaMonte Hotel.
Her body was later found in shallow water near Bastrop Bayou off FM 2004.
Investigators also believed Carolyn had information about the earlier killing of Terri Denise McDaniels.
Historical investigative records state investigators found Carolyn Sosa’s fingerprints and hair inside Roy Alan Stuart’s vehicle.
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Historical Court Records
The gallery below contains historical court records, newspaper articles, and investigative documents related to the Carolyn Sosa homicide investigation and Roy Alan Stuart. Readers can review the original source material and examine the records in their historical context.
Donna Sanchez shared court records showing Roy Alan Stuart was arrested in Carolyn Sosa’s murder. The murder charge was later dismissed.
Donna said investigators told her family they collected fingerprints, hair evidence, blood evidence, and skin reportedly found beneath Carolyn Sosa’s fingernails.
“My mom was small, but she was a fighter,” Donna told Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.
Donna hopes someone will finally answer what happened to her mother.
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Matt Wingo’s Text Messages About Carolyn Sosa
Former Brazoria County investigator Matt Wingo exchanged text messages with Kent McGowen in July 2023.
One message states Carolyn Sosa fought Roy Alan Stuart during the attack.
Wingo wrote investigators built a homicide case using fingerprints, hair, and blood evidence.
He also wrote the murder case was dismissed after an HPD officer allegedly assaulted Stuart during his arrest.
Another message states Wingo believed Roy Alan Stuart could be connected to at least 14 killings.
Wingo also wrote then-Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck wanted investigators to review Kent McGowen’s records.
These statements reflect Wingo’s account. Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose has not independently verified every statement beyond available court records.
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Kent McGowen Says Roy Alan Stuart Confessed
Former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen met Roy Alan Stuart while both were incarcerated at the Duncan Unit.
McGowen said Stuart openly discussed kidnapping and murdering women.
He said Stuart described picking up a Black woman near Telephone Road during rodeo season.
McGowen said Stuart claimed he tried to strangle her with a seat belt before shooting her twice with a .22-caliber pistol.
McGowen also said Stuart claimed a fisherman witnessed the killing from a nearby boat.
After reviewing historical records, McGowen believed Stuart was describing Carolyn Sosa’s murder.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose has not independently verified McGowen’s account.
Roy Alan Stuart Died Before the Investigation Was Complete
McGowen said he documented Stuart’s statements while they were incarcerated together and later prepared formal reports detailing the alleged confessions.
According to McGowen, he submitted those reports in 2019 to multiple agencies, including the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department and the FBI.
Roy Alan Stuart died on May 10, 2019, while serving a life sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
His death came shortly after McGowen said he had notified multiple law enforcement agencies about Stuart’s alleged confessions.
Can the Carolyn Sosa Case Be Reopened?
Yes.
Under Texas law, there is no statute of limitations for murder.
Although Roy Alan Stuart is deceased and can no longer be prosecuted, investigators may reopen a homicide investigation if new evidence, witnesses, historical documents or advances in forensic science justify another review.
A reopened investigation could include re-examining physical evidence using modern DNA testing, interviewing surviving witnesses, reviewing investigative files, or comparing historical evidence with newly discovered information.
If investigators conclude the evidence supports it, they can publicly identify a deceased suspect as responsible for a homicide even though criminal prosecution is no longer possible.
What’s Next in the Carolyn Sosa Case?
Nearly 40 years after Carolyn Sosa’s murder, her family continues searching for answers.
Whether the Carolyn Sosa investigation is officially reopened will ultimately be decided by law enforcement.
However, newly shared family records, historical court documents, Matt Wingo’s text messages, Kent McGowen’s prison interview and previously submitted investigative reports have renewed attention on one of the Gulf Coast’s long-unsolved homicide investigations.
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Editor’s Note: This article includes newly obtained court records, historical investigative documents, text messages, and interviews gathered during an ongoing investigation by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. Statements attributed to former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen are based on his interview and prison diaries describing alleged confessions made by Roy Alan Stuart while the two were incarcerated together. Statements attributed to former investigator Matt Wingo are based on text messages reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. Court records confirm Roy Alan Stuart was arrested in Carolyn Sosa’s homicide before the charge was dismissed. Some claims discussed in this article remain unverified or disputed. The purpose of this report is to present the available records, document new information provided by Carolyn Sosa’s family, and examine whether the case merits renewed investigative review.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Investigator Matt Wingo Raises Questions About Roy Alan Stuart Prison Journal Story
Before publishing my interview with former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen and his handwritten prison journals about convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart, I contacted investigator Matt Wingo seeking an interview and comment.
I did not receive an interview before my publication deadline.
After the story was published, Wingo text messaged and emailed me several times expressing concerns about the accuracy of information contained in McGowen’s journals. Although one of his text messages stated he did not want further contact, he continued sending additional emails outlining what he believes are significant factual problems.
Why I Reported the Story the Way I Did
The messages document that Wingo and McGowen communicated. They do not independently establish that every claim discussed in those communications is accurate.
July 13, 2023 text message exchange between investigator Matt Wingo and former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen discussing Roy Alan Stuart. The messages include discussion of an estimated homicide count and references to reviewing additional investigative records.
One issue readers should understand is the homicide count.
Before publication, I had seen a July 2023 message between Wingo and McGowen in which Wingo wrote:
“I have him killing 14 but that’s light, what we know about.”
However, because I was unable to interview Wingo before publication, I did not feel it was appropriate to publish his estimate as fact without giving him the opportunity to explain how he reached that number.
Instead, I reported what Kent McGowen told me during my interview and clearly identified him as the source of those statements. Throughout my reporting, I repeatedly noted that many of the claims contained in McGowen’s journals remain unverified.
Editor’s Note – July 10, 2026
After Investigator Matt Wingo contacted me to point out factual errors in my original article, I reexamined Kent McGowen’s original handwritten journals. During that review, I determined that I had misinterpreted several entries involving investigator communications. The journals document communications between Kent McGowen and investigators—including letters, telephone calls, emails, text messages and other correspondence. Upon reexamining the journals, I determined I had incorrectly interpreted some entries as documenting in-person meetings as I had previously interpreted.
The underlying claims in this article remain attributed to Kent McGowen’s interview and handwritten journals unless otherwise noted. As with the original publication, these allegations have not been independently verified by this news organization.
Additional Documents Reviewed
Excerpts from Kent McGowen’s original handwritten prison journals referencing communications with investigators and agencies regarding information he said Roy Alan Stuart shared while they were incarcerated together.
In addition to the handwritten journals, I also reviewed text messages, emails, and other communications exchanged between Matt Wingo and Kent McGowen regarding Roy Alan Stuart as part of this reporting.
The Questions That Remain
Several important questions remain unanswered.
Which Texas Ranger or Rangers were referenced in McGowen’s journals?
Can the journal entries regarding investigator communications be independently corroborated through public records or other witnesses?
Which portions of the journals can be independently verified?
Which claims cannot currently be verified?
Are there additional public records that support or contradict McGowen’s account?
I intend to continue reporting on these questions as more information becomes available.
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More Resources
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New Messages Show Multiple Law Enforcement Officials Responded to Kent McGowen Regarding Roy Alan Stuart Information.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Additional text messages obtained during my investigation into Roy Alan Stuart show Kent McGowen exchanged text messages with multiple law enforcement officials after providing information from his prison journals.
The messages do not verify the allegations contained in McGowen’s journals. However, they do document that officials from multiple agencies acknowledged receiving or discussing the information and, in some cases, indicated they intended to review the material.
FBI Safe Streets Task Force Acknowledged the Request
In a text message dated January 5, 2023, FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen responded to McGowen regarding the Roy Alan Stuart journals.
Hansen wrote:
A January 5, 2023 text message from FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen acknowledges Kent McGowen’s request to review his Roy Alan Stuart prison journals. Personal phone number has been redacted.
“Myself nor Agent Brown have forgot about request to meet with us and review your diary notes ref Roy Alan Stewart.”
He continued by explaining that both investigators were handling several major cases before adding:
“We both have a number of major ongoing cases. We will reach in few weeks to meet.”
The message documents that McGowen’s request remained under consideration while investigators focused on other active investigations.
John Blankenship Responded to McGowen’s Information
On May 2, 2023, McGowen received another text message from John Blankenship after sending additional information.
In a May 2, 2023 text message, John Blankenship told Kent McGowen he had discussed the Roy Alan Stuart information with his supervisor and that a Texas Ranger would work on the matter.
Blankenship wrote:
“I ran our conversation by my boss… he wants our new Texas Ranger to work on this.”
He added that he would contact McGowen again once they had a plan in place.
The message indicates McGowen’s information was discussed internally and that a Texas Ranger was expected to become involved.
Texas Ranger Contact
Kent McGowen provided this contact entry identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf while documenting his efforts to share information related to Roy Alan Stuart with law enforcement. The phone number has been redacted for privacy.
McGowen also provided a contact entry identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf.
While a contact listing alone does not establish what communications occurred, it is consistent with McGowen’s account that he attempted to provide his journals to multiple law enforcement agencies.
What the Messages Show
The text messages do not establish that Roy Alan Stuart’s alleged confessions were verified.
They also do not confirm that investigators concluded Stuart committed the crimes described in McGowen’s journals.
What they do show is that officials representing multiple agencies acknowledged receiving or discussing McGowen’s information and communicated with him regarding his request to have the material reviewed.
Those communications provide additional documentation supporting McGowen’s longstanding claim that he repeatedly attempted to bring the information to law enforcement after documenting his conversations with Stuart in prison.
Continuing Investigation
I continue to review prison journals, text messages, official records, and other documents related to Roy Alan Stuart.
If you have firsthand information regarding Roy Alan Stuart, the prison journals, or any of the cases discussed, you can contact me confidentially.
As with all of my reporting, allegations contained in the journals remain unverified unless supported by independent evidence or official records.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my investigative journalism.
Investigators gather near Calder Road during the latest search connected to the Texas Killing Fields investigation.
LEAGUE CITY, Texas — As search teams return to Calder Road in the area known as the Texas Killing Fields, Tim Miller says one statement from James Elmore Jr. stayed with him for years.
In a full interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, Miller said Elmore repeatedly told him there was “another girl” connected to the case.
The search comes decades after the murders of Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Heidi Villarreal-Fye, and Donna Prudhomme, whose cases became known nationwide as the Texas Killing Fields murders.
Tim Miller on James Elmore Jr.
Tim Miller discusses information provided by James Elmore Jr., including claims that led investigators back to Calder Road during the latest Texas Killing Fields search.
According to Miller, Elmore brought up the possibility of another victim during conversations that stretched over several years.
“You know, ever since the girls were found, I always wondered if there were more girls out there,” Miller said.
Miller said Elmore contacted him about four years ago and repeatedly returned to the same claim.
“He always said, ‘There’s another girl out here. There’s another one out here.’”
Miller acknowledged that Elmore sometimes struggled to remember details from decades ago.
“He would say it was 38 years ago and he did so much dope back then,” Miller said.
However, Miller said information Elmore provided in other areas of the investigation continued to check out.
“Everything else he told me ended up being true,” Miller said.
Why Investigators Returned to Calder Road
A memorial stands near Calder Road in League City, where several victims linked to the Texas Killing Fields investigation were discovered.
Miller said investigators and search teams agreed the information was significant enough to justify another search.
The current operation is focused on looking for evidence connected to one additional possible victim.
Miller cautioned that recovering evidence more than four decades later remains extremely difficult.
“The bad news is it’s 42 years later,” Miller said. “The chances of finding it are very, very slim.”
Claims Involving Clyde Hedrick
A memorial sign honors several victims connected to the Texas Killing Fields, including Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and Ellen Beason.
During the interview, Miller also discussed information Elmore shared about convicted killer Clyde Hedrick.
One example involved a small cemetery that Laura Miller reportedly visited.
Miller said Elmore showed investigators where Hedrick allegedly hid and watched Laura.
“Nobody knew Laura went there,” Miller said. “That was her little peaceful place.”
Miller said details such as that convinced him Elmore possessed information that was not widely known.
Full Interview
The full interview includes Tim Miller’s discussion about:
Why investigators returned to Calder Road
The search for one additional possible victim
Information provided by James Elmore Jr.
Claims involving Clyde Hedrick
Other locations previously searched during the investigation
Interested in learning more about the history of the Texas Killing Fields and other unsolved Gulf Coast murder cases? These books provide additional background and context.
Deliver Us: Three Decades of Murder and Redemption in the Infamous I-45 Texas Killing Fields — Kathryn Casey’s deep dive into the Texas Killing Fields and the victims whose cases remained unsolved for decades.
Murder in the Bayou — Examines another notorious series of unsolved murders and investigative failures along the Gulf Coast.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Investigators, law enforcement personnel, and EquuSearch members meet along Calder Road as search efforts continue in the Texas Killing Fields investigation. Tim Miller says information provided by James Elmore Jr. led search teams back to the area.
Texas Killing Fields New Search Focuses on Calder Road
A new search is underway along Calder Road in League City. The area is known as the Texas Killing Fields.
Investigators continue working cold cases tied to one of Texas’ most infamous murder investigations.
EquuSearch founder Tim Miller told investigative reporter Tammy Rose that search teams are looking for evidence connected to another possible victim.
The Texas Killing Fields new search comes decades after four young women were found dead in the area.
Investigators hope the latest search could uncover new evidence and provide answers in a case that has remained unsolved for decades.
Tim Miller Reveals New Details
EquuSearch founder Tim Miller discussed his conversations with James Elmore Jr. and the possibility of another victim during an interview with investigative reporter Tammy Rose. Miller said information provided by Elmore helped lead search teams back to Calder Road in the Texas Killing Fields area.
Watch Tammy Rose’s report and interview with Tim Miller below.
Tim Miller Reveals New Details
Tim Miller said he met with James Elmore Jr. more than 30 times.
The meetings took place over several years as Miller investigated information connected to the Texas Killing Fields.
During one conversation, Elmore discussed Laura Miller.
Miller said Elmore claimed Clyde Hedrick stalked Laura near a cemetery a few blocks from her family’s former home.
The information caught Miller’s attention.
Laura often walked to the cemetery. She also spent time near a nearby bayou.
Miller said very few people knew about that location.
Elmore later pointed toward a group of trees.
“See them woods right there? That’s where Clyde used to hide and watch Laura,” Elmore allegedly said.
Miller said the comment unsettled him.
The statement described a specific location. Miller believed few people would have known about it.
Questions About Another Possible Victim
A memorial marks part of the Texas Killing Fields along Calder Road in League City. Decades after the murders shocked the community, investigators continue searching for answers and following new leads.
Miller said Elmore repeatedly suggested there could be another victim connected to the area.
“I always wondered, is there any more girls?” Miller said.
According to Miller, Elmore brought him to the area multiple times over several years and repeatedly mentioned another woman.
“He always said there’s another girl out here,” Miller told Tammy Rose.
Miller said he initially questioned the information because Elmore often followed the statements by saying drug use decades earlier made some memories difficult to recall.
Still, Miller said many other details Elmore provided were later confirmed.
“Everything else he told me ended up to be true,” Miller said.
Search Teams Return to Calder Road
Search teams returned to the Texas Killing Fields area along Calder Road after EquuSearch founder Tim Miller said James Elmore Jr. repeatedly spoke about another possible victim. Investigators continue searching for evidence connected to the decades-old case.
The latest search focuses on locating evidence connected to the possible additional victim described during those conversations.
Officials have not publicly identified any potential victim, and investigators have not announced whether any evidence has been recovered.
For now, search teams continue working the area along Calder Road as investigators examine information that could provide new answers nearly four decades after the killings shocked the community.
The Texas Killing Fields
A memorial near Calder Road honors Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Heidi Fye, and Donna Prudhomme, whose deaths became linked to the Texas Killing Fields. The area remains the focus of ongoing investigations and renewed search efforts decades later.
The Texas Killing Fields refers to a stretch of land near Calder Road in League City where the bodies of several young women were discovered between the 1970s and early 1990s.
The area remains one of Texas’ most infamous unsolved murder investigations and continues to generate new leads, searches, and investigative efforts.
Tammy Rose will continue following developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
As an independent reporter, I often spend long hours covering breaking news, search operations, and investigations across Texas. Here are a few items I use and recommend:
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links above, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting independent journalism at Chopper Rose Productions.
