Who was Mary Catherine Edwards?

Mary Catherine Edwards was a 31-year-old beloved elementary school teacher found murdered in her Beaumont, Texas home on January 14, 1995.

How was Mary Catherine Edwards' killer identified?

Clayton Foreman, who knew Edwards from high school, was identified as the killer through genetic genealogy and DNA evidence after decades.

What was unique about the evidence in Mary Catherine Edwards' case?

The primary clue was a pair of police-grade handcuffs found at the scene, which were untraceable and initially baffled investigators.

Home / Crime and Justice / Ghost Story Solved: Teacher's Killer Caught After 29 Years

Ghost Story Solved: Teacher's Killer Caught After 29 Years

11 Jan

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Summary

A beloved elementary teacher was found murdered in her bathtub in 1995.
Police-grade handcuffs at the scene were a key, yet untraceable, clue.
Genetic genealogy finally identified her high school acquaintance as the killer.

In January 1995, Mary Catherine Edwards, a 31-year-old elementary school teacher, was discovered deceased in her Beaumont, Texas residence. The crime scene, with Edwards found handcuffed in her bathtub, initially suggested the killer was someone she knew, as there were no signs of forced entry. The presence of police-grade handcuffs, which could not be traced, added a layer of mystery to the investigation.

The case languished for years, frustrating investigators and Edwards' family. However, the advent of genetic genealogy provided a new path forward. Detectives, alongside a professional genealogist, meticulously analyzed preserved DNA evidence from the crime scene. This intensive effort eventually led them to identify Clayton Foreman, a former high school classmate of Edwards, as their prime suspect.

Further investigation revealed a deeper connection: Edwards and her twin sister had been bridesmaids in Foreman's first wedding. His ex-wife recalled his unusual fascination with law enforcement tools, including handcuffs he kept prominently displayed. A DNA match confirmed Foreman's presence at the crime scene, leading to his arrest. He was subsequently found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.