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Students Crack 34-Year-Old Texas Cold Case Murder
19 Nov
Summary
- University students helped solve a 1991 Texas murder case.
- An arrest was made 34 years after Cynthia Gonzalez's death.
- The students reviewed extensive case files for the cold case.
A cold case dating back to 1991 has been cracked thanks to the diligent work of criminology students at the University of Texas Arlington. The students were instrumental in identifying Janie Perkins, 63, as the prime suspect in the murder of Cynthia Gonzalez, a 25-year-old mother.
Perkins was arrested on November 6, 2025, by US Marshals. The investigation was revived when students in a new partnership program with the police department delved into the case files. They sifted through hundreds of documents, uncovering overlooked details about Perkins' relationship with Gonzalez and a shared romantic partner.
Witness statements, re-examined due to the students' questions, revealed Perkins had admitted involvement and provided details not publicly known, aligning with the evidence. This led to her arrest and charged capital murder, offering long-awaited closure to Gonzalez's daughter, Jessica Roberts, who was just six when her mother was killed.
