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.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from qualifying bookings or purchases at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Visitors researching Galveston County history or spending time along the Texas Gulf Coast can compare hotels and available accommodations through Hotels.com.
Disclosure: I may earn a commission from eligible bookings at no additional cost to you.
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.
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.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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.
Exclusive Video: Fire at Former James Elmore Jr. Property Raises Questions in Texas Killing Fields Case
An exclusive video shows the aftermath of a fire at a property in Bacliff once associated with James Elmore Jr., as the ongoing Texas Killing Fields investigation continues just blocks away.
Watch the Exclusive Video
Fire Destroys Trailer and Lockbox on Former Property
Neighbors say the fire destroyed a trailer and a lockbox on the property, which had long raised concerns in the area.
“This trailer right here burnt down and then they moved over there,” one neighbor said.
Today, the lot sits covered in high weeds and debris—but residents say it hasn’t been forgotten.
Neighbors Report Disturbances Before Fire
People living nearby describe frequent disturbances before the fire happened.
“We did hear a lot of fighting and arguing that happened over there which happened once a week,” another neighbor said.
They also captured video of at least one of two fires at the location—incidents that are now drawing renewed attention.
No Confirmed Link to Active Investigation
This property is not the same location currently being searched near 18th Street and Avenue A in Bacliff.
However, according to a search warrant, in a March 2026 phone call, Elmore allegedly told someone there could be a body buried beneath a home on 18th Street—a property he reportedly acquired from Cyle Hedrick.
Authorities have not confirmed any connection between that claim and this burned property.
Ongoing Search in Texas Killing Fields Investigation
Nearby, along 18th Street near Jackson, law enforcement continues searching for possible evidence tied to the Texas Killing Fields case.
Members of a local Church of Christ were seen gathered along the roadway as Galveston County Sheriff’s deputies and other agencies worked the scene.
So far, officials have not said whether anything has been found.
Property Layout Raises Questions
Neighbors describe the former property as cluttered with multiple structures.
“They had a trailer, a shed, and another mobile home—makeshift stuff all over the place,” a resident said.
For some, those details—combined with the fire—are raising new concerns.
For now, the lot remains quiet. But with an active investigation just steps away, neighbors say they are watching closely and waiting for answers.
What’s Next
James Elmore Jr. is scheduled to go to trial in August 2026.
Exclusive: New Video Shows James Elmore Jr.’s Trailer Engulfed in Flames.
As the search for evidence continues, new voices are speaking out-sharing what they know about the Texas Killing Fields. Some of them, choosing to remain anonymous.
Exclusive: New Video Shows James Elmore Jr.’s Trailer Engulfed in Flames
As the search for evidence continues, new voices are speaking out—sharing what they know about the Texas Killing Fields. Some are choosing to remain anonymous, fearing backlash as this decades-old case gains renewed attention.
This exclusive video, along with interviews obtained by this site, may point to another location of interest. Multiple sources claim the property currently being searched on 18th Street may not be the only place investigators should be focusing.
According to those sources, another nearby property—also previously linked to James Elmore Jr.—could hold critical clues. The footage shows one of two separate fires tied to locations where he once lived, raising new questions about whether key evidence may exist just around the corner from where authorities are currently searching.
While investigators have not confirmed these claims, the accounts shared in this report suggest there may be more to uncover in the surrounding area.
📦 Recommended Field Reporting Gear
If you’re producing investigative or field reporting content like this, here are some tools creators and journalists commonly use:
A major development in the Texas Killing Fields investigation is unfolding after search warrants were served at a Bacliff property linked to James Elmore Jr.
Take a look at the scene as the search unfolded on the property.
Search Warrant Details
Court documents show investigators searched the Bacliff property for human remains, burial sites, and items tied to missing persons in the long-running case in Texas.
The warrant also lists tools or materials that could help conceal or move remains. Investigators looked for any evidence of tampering or disturbed burial areas.
Crews worked the property for hours while heavy equipment assisted in the search.
Exclusive Interviews Reveal New Details About the Texas Killing Fields
What if there are more victims in the Texas Killing Fields?
Chilling new interviews could lead investigators to more victims buried near the criminals’ old house. In these Texas Killing Fields exclusive interviews, neighbors and family of Clyde Hedrick and James Elmore Jr. share details that raise new questions about the case.
Take a listen to the full interviews in the video below.
If you want to dive deeper into cases like this, I’ve linked some true crime books below that break down investigations just like the Texas Killing Fields.
For the latest updates on the Texas Killing Fields investigation — including coverage of the press conference where officials said there are ongoing active leads and families continue to push for answers — see this report from ABC13:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
