27-year-old San Angelo cold case could have ties to Texas capital

A Texas A&M Research Center employee found human remains in San Angelo on December 2, 1996. Investigators discovered a pair of hiking boots, a sweatshirt, and jeans, as well as a backpack with cigarettes, cans of snuff, toothpaste, and two Coca-Cola containers, according to reporting from Fox 7 Austin.

“He told me he felt like it was a man that he had come into contact with several times, and he would give him drinks and chips to visit. We kind of felt bad for the person. I thought maybe he was homeless or that he might have had some mental issues,” said Phyllis Benge, senior administrative coordinator at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, in the report.

The possible Austin connection was made after officials found a hand-made printing in dark ink on the backpack. It read “Wayne Rudd – Austin, Texas. Damn Proud of it.” While the Texas Rangers believe the John Doe may have been homeless and lived in Austin at some point, they could not find an ID on him, according to the report.

Cold case investigators hope that this new drawing will motivate someone to come forward with information about the man’s identity, who 27 years later, still remains a mystery. 

Terry Eaton with the Texas Rangers told Fox 7, “At this time, we have no idea who this person is and no leads to go on.” 

If you have any information about this case or the possible identity of this man, call the Texas Rangers at 1-800-346-3243 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).