Carla Walker's murder went unsolved for 46 years
Valentine’s Day dances are normally about love and romance. However, on 16th February 1974, the events that unfolded couldn’t be further from the norm.
The murder of Carla Walker remains one of the most haunting cases in Fort Worth, Texas. For nearly half a century, her story was a tragic symbol of unsolved crimes and the lingering pain they leave behind. Finally, in 2020, modern forensic science brought justice to Carla's family, solving a case that had gone cold for 46 years.
This article closely examines a cold case finally solved after a lengthy process. The story and how it has developed over the years continue to intrigue us at Crime+Investigation.
Date night
17-year-old Carla Walker was a bright and popular student with the world at her feet. Carla attended Western Hills High School, had many friends, and a boyfriend named Rodney McCoy.
On 16th February 1974, Carla went to a Valentine's dance with her boyfriend. After the dance, the couple sat in Rodney's car in a parking lot near Ridgmar Mall. A quiet moment soon turned tragic. A man suddenly approached the vehicle, opened the passenger door, and attacked them. The suspect pistol-whipped Rodney, knocking him unconscious, and abducted Carla.
'I see Carla's face and she screams, "Rodney, go get my dad",' Rodney later recalled of the last moments he saw of his girlfriend. Later he awoke to find his girlfriend gone and immediately reported the attack. Three days later, Carla’s body was discovered in a culvert near Benbrook Lake. She had been raped and strangled.
Limited clues
The crime scene left investigators with limited clues. The brutality of the attack stunned the community, and a massive investigation ensued. Despite their efforts, no suspects were charged, and the case went cold.
For years, the Walker family lived with the anguish of not knowing who had taken Carla’s life. The Fort Worth Police Department pursued numerous leads, but none resulted in a break in the case. The limited forensic technology of the 1970s meant investigators could not fully analyse the evidence left behind, including biological material.
Decades without answers
As the years passed, Carla’s case became one of many unsolved murders, but it was never forgotten. Her family kept her memory alive, regularly reaching out to law enforcement and advocating for renewed attention to the case.
In the early 2000s, the advent of DNA technology provided hope for solving cold cases. Evidence from Carla’s case, including biological material found on her clothing, was preserved. In 2019, investigators partnered with Othram Inc., a private DNA lab specialising in advanced forensic genealogy.
The breakthrough: DNA advances crack the case
Othram used DNA evidence to create a genetic profile of the suspect. By comparing the profile to publicly available genealogical databases, they identified potential relatives of the perpetrator. This groundbreaking technique, known as genetic genealogy, had already solved several high-profile cold cases, including the Golden State Killer.
The genetic profile pointed to Glen Samuel McCurley, a Fort Worth resident. He had been a person of interest early in the investigation. In 1974, police found he owned a 22-caliber pistol. It was like the weapon used in the attack. They then questioned McCurley. But he denied involvement, and without enough evidence, they couldn’t prosecute.
As the years passed, Carla’s case became one of many unsolved murders, but it was never forgotten. Her family kept her memory alive, regularly reaching out to law enforcement and advocating for renewed attention to the case.
'I've never met one law enforcement officer in the city of Fort Worth working on my sister's case who did not want to solve not only her case, but all the other cases.' Carla's brother Jim Walker explained.
The arrest and confession
With the genetic link in hand, police obtained a DNA sample from McCurley in 2020. The results matched the evidence from the crime scene, leading to his arrest in September 2020.
During questioning, McCurley initially denied his involvement. However, he eventually confessed, providing chilling details about the abduction and murder. He admitted to targeting Carla and attacking her and Rodney in the parking lot. He later drove to a secluded area where he raped and strangled her.
McCurley’s arrest brought long-overdue relief to Carla’s family. Her siblings expressed both sorrow and gratitude, thanking law enforcement for their dedication to solving the case.
Glen McCurley, then 77 years old, was charged with capital murder. In 2021, he stood trial in a Tarrant County courtroom. Three days into the trial, McCurley changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.
'We did our job to get Carla’s perpetrator caught and brought to justice and it worked out the way it probably should have worked out,' Jim Walker, Carla’s brother, commented after McCurley’s sentencing.
Having evaded justice for nearly half a century, McCurley died behind bars, aged 80, in 2023.
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