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
If stories about cold cases, victims, and investigative journalism matter to you, these books and reports may also be helpful.
📚 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
📚 While the City Slept by Eli Sanders
📰 Read my original investigation:
Exclusive: Roy Alan Stuart Prison Confessions Revealed
Why I Fight So Hard for Victims: The Story I’ve Never Shared
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