Topline: The suspect, who was 40-year-old at the time, is accused of killing an 81-year-old woman in 1981.
Published: February 1, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Willie Jones (via Dallas Police)
DALLAS, TX — An elderly man is in custody after DNA evidence linked him to a murder that happened over 40 years ago.
According to the Dallas Police Department, 83-year-old Willie Jones was taken into custody on January 16 for a parole violation related to a sexual assault.
Police said a DNA sample was taken and has since been confirmed related a murder dating back more than 40 years.
On December 14, 1981, Virginia White, who was 81-years-old at the time, was found murdered in her home at 4103 Furey Street. Jones, who was 40 at the time of the murder, was linked to the murder through DNA.
He has been charged with Capital Murder.
CBS News reported White’s daughter became concerned after not hearing from her mother. She arrived at her mother’s residence and found the door ajar and a screen door unlatched.
White’s family members initially thought she had died of natural causes, but, a medical examiner found markings on White’s neck that were “consistent with strangulation.” An autopsy ruled the death a homicide and determined White was sexually assaulted.
In May 2024, Dallas Homicide Detectives re-opened the case and found previously untested sexual assault swabs in White’s case, according to CBS News.
The DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and returned a match to Jones. He was later taken into custody on a parole violation and his DNA was tested again, confirming the match.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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DNA Links Elderly Man to 1981 Cold Case Murder in Dallas
The suspect, who was 40-year-old at the time, is accused of killing an 81-year-old woman in 1981.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 1, 2025 8:30 am ET
Willie Jones (via Dallas Police)
DALLAS, TX — An elderly man is in custody after DNA evidence linked him to a murder that happened over 40 years ago.
According to the Dallas Police Department, 83-year-old Willie Jones was taken into custody on January 16 for a parole violation related to a sexual assault.
Police said a DNA sample was taken and has since been confirmed related a murder dating back more than 40 years.
On December 14, 1981, Virginia White, who was 81-years-old at the time, was found murdered in her home at 4103 Furey Street. Jones, who was 40 at the time of the murder, was linked to the murder through DNA.
He has been charged with Capital Murder.
CBS News reported White’s daughter became concerned after not hearing from her mother. She arrived at her mother’s residence and found the door ajar and a screen door unlatched.
White’s family members initially thought she had died of natural causes, but, a medical examiner found markings on White’s neck that were “consistent with strangulation.” An autopsy ruled the death a homicide and determined White was sexually assaulted.
In May 2024, Dallas Homicide Detectives re-opened the case and found previously untested sexual assault swabs in White’s case, according to CBS News.
The DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and returned a match to Jones. He was later taken into custody on a parole violation and his DNA was tested again, confirming the match.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
DNA Links Elderly Man to 1981 Cold Case Murder in Dallas
The suspect, who was 40-year-old at the time, is accused of killing an 81-year-old woman in 1981.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 1, 2025 8:30 am ET
Willie Jones (via Dallas Police)
DALLAS, TX — An elderly man is in custody after DNA evidence linked him to a murder that happened over 40 years ago.
According to the Dallas Police Department, 83-year-old Willie Jones was taken into custody on January 16 for a parole violation related to a sexual assault.
Police said a DNA sample was taken and has since been confirmed related a murder dating back more than 40 years.
On December 14, 1981, Virginia White, who was 81-years-old at the time, was found murdered in her home at 4103 Furey Street. Jones, who was 40 at the time of the murder, was linked to the murder through DNA.
He has been charged with Capital Murder.
CBS News reported White’s daughter became concerned after not hearing from her mother. She arrived at her mother’s residence and found the door ajar and a screen door unlatched.
White’s family members initially thought she had died of natural causes, but, a medical examiner found markings on White’s neck that were “consistent with strangulation.” An autopsy ruled the death a homicide and determined White was sexually assaulted.
In May 2024, Dallas Homicide Detectives re-opened the case and found previously untested sexual assault swabs in White’s case, according to CBS News.
The DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and returned a match to Jones. He was later taken into custody on a parole violation and his DNA was tested again, confirming the match.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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