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Through advancements in genealogy tech and perseverance decades later, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify and provide closure for the family of Kathy Ann Smith, whose body was found in 1979 near Elgin.
After exhuming the gravesite in 2019 for another DNA sample without success, Sergeant James Miller tried again in 2022. With the help of the District Attorney’s office, North Texas University and forensic laboratory Othram, a key discovery led to Smith’s eventual identification earlier this month.
“The problem was she was adopted, that really played with us,” said Sheriff Maurice Cook, who took pride in his team’s commitment. “We’re not only due diligent in identifying suspects. This is a case where Miller worked on it to give closure to the family, that was our primary purpose.”
Miller gave credit to the joint efforts of local law enforcement, the civilian population and private agencies. The identification was made possible through new technology in gene sequencing and the genetic database at dnasolves.com.
“Genealogy will continue to be used and be a valuable asset. The advances in technology are helping us solve these older crimes,” said Miller.
It is now known that Smith was 22 at the time of her death, the cause of which is still ruled as homicide. She was struck by a car on the north side of Highway 290, six miles outside of Elgin.
Prolific serial killer of the time Henry Lee Lucas was initially ruled a suspect. The two were both known to be visiting the same Salvation Army and the circumstance of death agrees with his patterns, according to Cook. Lucas is known for confessing to over 200 murders, many of which he later redacted.
“He confessed to a lot of things. I don’t know that we can ever definitively say who did this, but what we can say is who she is, and that’s huge,” said District Attorney Bryan Goertz.
Lucas lived his life out in prison. Even though he confessed, a case like this will never be closed, according to the Sheriff.
Miller spoke personally with the victim’s daughter, who was relieved but wished to remain anonymous. They have already discussed plans to put a headstone at the gravesite. Although Smith was found in Elgin, she was a Houston resident.
Miller noted how rewarding it is for everyone when something like this comes together.
“This is CSI Bastrop at its finest,” said Goertz.
