Law enforcement in Texas has done it again, as the Texas Department of Public Safety recently used modern evidence testing to solve a cold case. 

The Texas Cold Case Was Almost 30 Years Old 

According to a Texas Department of Public Safety press release, they believe they have found the suspect who murdered an 86-year-old woman by the name of Mary Moore Searight who then lived in Paris, Texas. 

It’s been nearly 30 years since the crime took place. 

Details About the Recent Cold Case Murder Solved in Texas 

The incident took place on August 18th, 1996, when Mary Moore Searight was found inside her own home by her unofficial caregiver at the time.  

It was clear to investigators that she was sexually assaulted, badly beaten, and strangled. She was still alive when found by her caregiver but after being air-lifted to a Dallas hospital she passed away three days later due to the injuries she suffered. 

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How Did the Suspect Know the Victim? 

Searight was a property owner and rented out several properties including homes on the same street that she lived on. One of her tenants was David Paul Cady Jr. Who was 25 years old at the time the crime took place. 

Cady was interviewed about the crime and even tried to conceal a laceration on his right hand. 

Investigators at the time took a DNA swab of his hand but there was no link at that time to the crime that took place. 

The Texas Cold Case Was Recently Revisited 

After a recent grant by the Department of Justice/Bureau of Investigations, investigators reviewed the case files and determined the swabs were eligible to be submitted for more testing.  

That additional testing showed Searight’s DNA on the swab taken from Cady’s hand. 

David Paul Cady Jr.
Photo courtesy of the Texas Department of Public Safety
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Cady was in custody last year when the Texas Rangers and Paris Police informed him that he would be charged with this crime. He remains in custody at this time. 

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Gallery Credit: Chad Hasty

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