Connect with us

Texas

The Evidence Room, Episode 37- The Texas Killing Fields, ‘Who killed our girls?’

Published

on

The Evidence Room, Episode 37- The Texas Killing Fields, ‘Who killed our girls?’


HOUSTON – A few mysteries are as chilling and unresolved as the Texas Killing Fields. A desolate field off Calder Road in League City, Texas, became the burial ground for four women between 1984 and 1991. Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Laura Miller, and Hiede Villareal Fye were all found in an abandoned oil field off Calder Road in League City, Tx.

In part-two of four, KPRC 2 Investigates nationally recognized show ‘The Evidence Room,’ takes you into ‘The Texas Killing Fields.’ Forty years later, the pain and fight for answers live on in the voices of the victims’ families.

“September 10, 1984,” Laura’s father Tim Miller begins, his voice heavy from dealing with decades of grief. “I’ll never, ever forget that day.”

KPRC 2 docu-series ‘The Evidence Room’ – The Texas Killing Fields. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

“I did everything I knew how to do to keep her alive, but somebody else was determined to take her life,” Miller shares.

Advertisement

For years Miller returned to the cross marking Laura’s final resting place.

A cross marks the spot where Tim Miller visits his daughter. The KPRC docu-series ‘The Evidence Room’ dives into The Texas Killing Fields murders near Houston. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

“I used to walk up to this cross, and I’d look at Laura’s picture and say, ‘Laura, please don’t’ hate your daddy, I can’t come out here anymore. I have to put my life back together.’ But every time, I’d hear a little voice say, ‘Dad, don’t quit.’ It was like, ‘Damn you, Laura, what are you talking about?”

Miller’s agony didn’t end with the discovery of Laura’s body. Instead, it deepened, when Laura’s remains were finally recovered on February 2, 1986. The family was told they couldn’t bury her right away. The medical examiner needed more time to determine the cause of death.

“60 days came and went. Six months. One year. Two Years. Three years and nine months later, we finally got to get Laura’s remains. Three years and nine months,” Miller bitterly recounted.

A search for answers, and lost faith in the system

KPRC 2 docu-series ‘The Evidence Room’ – The Texas Killing Fields. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

The pain of the delay was compounded by the shocking discoveries about how Laura’s remains had been treated.

Advertisement

“I lost faith in the police department,” Miller while anger began to build inside him. “I thought at that time, that if they were to listen to me. If they would have came out here and searched, they would have found her body. She would have been dead, but there may have been some damn evidence.”

In March of 1992, there was another grim discovery. Laura’s remains were sent in a FedEx box to a college for research, even though she was buried in 1989.

“Remember, there 212 bones in a human body. Guess how many there were, 28 bones.” Miller said.

Once Laura’s remains were returned, Miller learned some of Audrey Cook’s remains had been mixed in with his daughter’s remains.

Audrey Cooke photos (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

Audrey was found the same day that they found Laura. They weren’t found in the same spot. They were found 60-ft away from each other.

Advertisement

“The fingernails were clipped. They’re not to be found. That’s frustrating because of the DNA that we can have now,” said Audrey Lee Cooke’s sister in law Shirley Love.

KPRC 2 docu-series ‘The Evidence Room’ – The Texas Killing Fields. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

The Suspects

Robert Abel, a former NASA engineer, owned property near ‘The Texas Killing Fields,’ and was one of the primary suspects. A League City police warrant, based in part on an FBI profile, named Abel as a suspect. However, after extensive searches of his property and years of questions, Abel was never charged with a single crime. Miller, fueled by anger and grief, confronted Abel.

“I put a gun to that man’s head,” Miller admits.

Despite this, Miller later asked for Abel’s forgiveness when he said he realized he was not responsible for the murders.

In July of 2005, Robert Abel drove his golf cart on to a set of railroad tracks in Bellville, Texas, and was hit by a train. According to Justice of the Peace, Richard Yancey, Abel’s death was ruled accidental. Miller believes Abel committed suicide.

Advertisement

Another suspect in Laura’s case is Clyde Edwin Hedrick.

KPRC 2 Investigates Robert Arnold interviews Clyde Hendrick for ‘The Evidence Room: The Texas Killing Fields.’ (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

“I just got to call, to let you know, Galveston County comes SWAT into my house this morning, and I’m over here in Galveston County Jail for that Calder Road stuff and all of them dead girls,” Hedrick was recorded telling someone on his phone after he was brought in for questioning in the death of Ellen Rae Beason.

KPRC 2 docu-series ‘The Evidence Room’ – The Texas Killing Fields. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

Don’t miss Part 2 of KPRC 2′s Investigation into the Texas Killing Fields, airing Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on KPRC 2+.

Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Texas

North Texas prepares for major World Cup operations

Published

on

North Texas prepares for major World Cup operations


North Texas FIFA World Cup organizers say this week will bring the first visible signs of activity.

“Tomorrow is a very big day for us,” organizer Monica Paul said. “The move-in for the International Broadcast Center for the World Cup begins. So, they will start moving in a lot of trucks, a lot of building out will take place.”

“I feel like we’re ready for this,” organizer Dan Hunt said. “I mean, this city has been built for this.”

Thousands of media arriving soon

Organizers say that by mid-May, 3,500 broadcasters, media, and staff are expected to arrive at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

Advertisement

Transportation planning will involve coordination across multiple cities and agencies, as millions of fans are expected to move across the region once the tournament begins.

“A large stakeholder group has been taking shape to put this transportation plan together,” Paul said. “Our last mobility plan is due to FIFA at the end of March.”

Security effort spans all levels

Safety and security will involve local, state, and federal partners.

“We are working with the White House Task Force for the World Cup,” Paul said. “It was set up specifically to be our federal government liaison with the host cities to address any concerns.”

Organizers say they want to ensure international visitors feel welcome.

Advertisement

Fan festival to anchor celebrations

For fans without tickets, Fair Park will host the FIFA Fan Festival, a large-scale viewing and entertainment experience during the tournament. The full schedule is expected to be released next month.

“With the good fortune we have here, Dallas Stadium will have nine matches which is over 700,000 tickets,” Hunt said. “Fan fest down in Fair Park should do double that. Almost 1.5 million visitors.”

“What I’m excited about is our Fan Fest is estimated to be free to the public and that excites me because everyone who does not have a ticket can also benefit from the energy of celebrating the World Cup,” organizer Nina Vaca said.

Long‑term goals beyond the tournament

With a projected $2.1 billion economic impact, organizers say the broader goal is to grow the game of soccer in North Texas long after the final match.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Texas

Texas Democrats demand AG investigation into X for alleged child sex content

Published

on

Texas Democrats demand AG investigation into X for alleged child sex content


The X logo on the X app formerly known as Twitter is seen in this photo illustration on 01 November, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Texas Democrat leaders are demanding that state Attorney General Ken Paxton investigate X, formerly Twitter, and the built-in chatbot Grok for alleged child sex abuse content being generated on the site. 

The joint letter from the House leaders says sexualized material is being created at a rate that should trigger a Texas law that would require age verification to use the site. 

Advertisement

Texas Democrats request X investigation

What we know:

The Monday letter, signed by 43 House Democrats, references reporting that claims investigators have observed around 7,750 sexualized images being generated per hour and at least one nonconsensual image per minute on X. 

Advertisement

They note that Grok has been documented generating sexualized or “nudified” images of minors as well. 

According to the House Democrats, other regulators, including those in Europe, have already launched their own queries into the social media site and chatbot. Additionally, they say, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has called on the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission to investigate X and Grok over the same concerns. 

Advertisement

The letter says Texas has already established a standard for sites operating as they claim X does: House Bill 1181, enacted in 2023, requires websites where more than one-third of content is sexual material harmful to minors to use age-verification methods to ensure users are over 18. 

Proposed investigation requirements

The letter asks Paxton to look into the following:

Advertisement
  • Open a formal investigation into whether X, xAI, Grok, or related tools accessible in Texas are being used to create or distribute unlawful sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate imagery, and any AI-generated child sexual exploitation material, and whether platform design choices are facilitating that conduct.
  • Investigate whether X is in compliance with Texas age verification requirements under HB 1181, including whether minors can access sexually explicit material or AI tools that generate sexual imagery without reasonable age verification.
  • Issue a public enforcement and reporting pathway for victims and parents in Texas, including instructions to preserve evidence, how reports will be routed for rapid investigation when minors are involved, and a point of contact for legislative coordination.
  • Provide written guidance to platforms operating in Texas on compliance expectations, including meaningful age gating for sexually explicit material, prompt removal pathways for victims, and cooperation with law enforcement.

What we don’t know:

Paxton has not yet issued a public response to the letter, or announced an investigation into the matter.

What parents and users should know

Advertisement

If you encounter sexualized images of minors or other abusive material online, report it immediately. In the United States, you can contact the FBI tip line or seek help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Do not download, share, screenshot or interact with the content in any way. Even viewing or forwarding illegal material can expose you to serious legal risk.

Parents should also talk with children and teens about AI image tools and social media prompts. Many of these images are created through casual requests that do not feel dangerous at first. Teaching kids to report content, close the app and tell a trusted adult can stop harm from spreading further.

Advertisement

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas House Democratic Caucus and previous reporting by Fox News. 

TexasArtificial IntelligenceTexas PoliticsTechnologyKen PaxtonElon Musk



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Texas

Texas DPS arrests Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku

Published

on

Texas DPS arrests Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku


The Texas Department of Public Safety told CBS News Texas that a trooper witnessed “a vehicle being operated recklessly” on the southbound lanes of Dallas North Tollway just before midnight on Saturday. Jail records show Ezeiruaku was booked into the Collin County jail for reckless driving on Sunday, Jan. 11. He was released the same day with a bond of $500 and other unlisted conditions.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending