TX 1984 MURDER RONALD LEWIS HEARN

[Maxion]

San Angelo Police Department’s Cold Case Section is seeking information regarding the 1984 murder of Ronald Lewis HEARN.
(Information Found on the San Angelo Police Website 1984 Murder Ronald Lewis Hearn)

Through interviews with close friends, it is believed that on September 30, 1984, around 9:00 pm. Ronald Lewis Hearn and several friends were walking “hanging out” around the Sulfur Draw area along the Concho River near downtown San Angelo. It is also believed that for some unknown reason Mr HEARN became separated from his friends and during this time of separation a person or persons physically attacked Mr HEARN. At approximately 9:30 pm a friend of Mr HEARN located his submerged deceased body in the Sulfur Draw. Bexar County Medical Examiners concluded that Mr HEARN’S death was the result of freshwater drowning.

How you can help: If you have any information about this case please contact SAPD Cold Case Detective Jim Coleman at (325) 657-4532 or 277-4503 or email coldcase@sanangelopolice.org. To remain anonymous, call the SAPD 24 Tip hotline at 855-TIPS-247. You can also text your tips- text TIP SAPD plus your tip to 888777. You can submit tips online at: Nixle. To report your tip through Crime Stoppers call 325-658-HELP.

 

[Maxion]

(Information Found on the San Angelo Police Website 1984 Murder Ronald Lewis Hearn)

Those responsible for the murder most likely carry around an enormous amount of guilt. Typically this will change a person’s personality and behaviour. If someone saw a big change in a person who was close to Mr HEARN, the identity of the person could assist law enforcement in solving the murder.

 

[Maxion]

(Information Found UNSOLVED DEATHS: Here are the cold cases still being investigated in the San Angelo area)

Ronald Lewis Hearn was walking around with friends in the Sulfur Draw area San Angelo's Santa Rita neighbourhood when he separated from the group.

Terry Faulkner, 16, and Simon Riley, 18, were with Hearn that night.

In an article from October 1984, Faulkner mentioned Hearn said he was tired. The trio agreed Hearn should wait on the trail while Faulkner took Riley home.

Faulkner said he returned 20 minutes later, but Hearn was gone.

Faulkner rushed back to Riley and the two searched for Hearn, getting Hearn's parents and the police involved.

About an hour later, the 18-year-old Hearn was found submerged in four feet of water underneath a bridge in the 900 block of W. Avenue D. Faulkner was the one who found Hearn, who had a "severe cut on his right ear. Faulkner and Hearn's own father pulled the body from out of the water.

Hearn was pronounced dead at the scene. Freshwater drowning is listed as the cause of death by Bexar County medical examiners. The autopsy later revealed blunt trauma to the head, consistent with a smooth pipe, and water in his lungs, indicating he was alive when he first went underwater. A pair of nunchucks were found during the search but were not confirmed to be involved.

Police tried to find Hearn's glasses but were unable to after draining the draw.

Riley was later arrested for a burglary in the 400 block of Park Street, which occurred about 7 p.m. the night Hearn was found dead.

Police told the San Angelo Standard-Times in an October 1984 article that a key piece of evidence was stolen from the residence.

 

[Maxion]

(Information Found on COLD CASE FILES: Closure sought in 1984 killing)

SAN ANGELO, Texas - Ronnie Hearn was fished out of Sulphur Draw with grass stains on the back of his jeans and water in his lungs.

His jacket was on upside down and backward and he was missing his glasses, which police at the time considered crucial evidence.

Thirty years after his death, pronounced Sept. 30, 1984, certain aspects of his death remain a mystery, including who ended his life.

A medical examiner found Hearn had been struck behind his right ear with a blunt object, according to an autopsy performed Oct. 1, 1984, by Dr. Vincent Di Maio.

San Angelo police believe the blow was enough to knock him unconscious before he went into the water in the 900 block of West Avenue D.

The day before he died, Hearn had been at a house party on Park Street, San Angelo Police Department cold case Detective Jim Coleman said. Three or four teenagers, including Hearn, went back the next day to help clean up.

While the teens were at the draw, others left to watch a movie, while others went down the draw, Coleman said.

A then-16-year-old Terry Faulkner said he, Hearn and Simon Riley, 18, had crossed a concrete bridge in the draw shortly before dusk, according to a Standard-Times article.

“Hearn said that he was tired, and the three agreed that Hearn should wait on a trail until the other youths returned,” the article quotes Faulkner as saying.

He told police he returned 20 minutes later after dropping Riley off by his house, but Hearn had gone missing. Faulkner went back for Riley, and the two searched for him, the article states.

 

[Ssschu]

(Information Found UNSOLVED DEATHS: Here are the cold cases still being investigated in the San Angelo area)

Ronald Lewis Hearn was walking around with friends in the Sulfur Draw area San Angelo's Santa Rita neighbourhood when he separated from the group.

Terry Faulkner, 16, and Simon Riley, 18, were with Hearn that night.

In an article from October 1984, Faulkner mentioned Hearn said he was tired. The trio agreed Hearn should wait on the trail while Faulkner took Riley home.

Faulkner said he returned 20 minutes later, but Hearn was gone.

Faulkner rushed back to Riley and the two searched for Hearn, getting Hearn's parents and the police involved.

About an hour later, the 18-year-old Hearn was found submerged in four feet of water underneath a bridge in the 900 block of W. Avenue D. Faulkner was the one who found Hearn, who had a "severe cut on his right ear. Faulkner and Hearn's own father pulled the body from out of the water.

Hearn was pronounced dead at the scene. Freshwater drowning is listed as the cause of death by Bexar County medical examiners. The autopsy later revealed blunt trauma to the head, consistent with a smooth pipe, and water in his lungs, indicating he was alive when he first went underwater. A pair of nunchucks were found during the search but were not confirmed to be involved.

Police tried to find Hearn's glasses but were unable to after draining the draw.

Riley was later arrested for a burglary in the 400 block of Park Street, which occurred about 7 p.m. the night Hearn was found dead.

Police told the San Angelo Standard-Times in an October 1984 article that a key piece of evidence was stolen from the residence.

I am so curious what key piece of evidence Riley stole. Sure makes him sound guilty.

 

[Ahearn]

I am so curious what key piece of evidence Riley stole. Sure makes him sound guilty.

First off it wasn't at 9 pm terry and Simon first reported Ronnie missing at around 2 pm calling his brother again around 4 again at around 6 that's when the brother and Ronnies parents went to the draw and started the search where he was found around 730 or 8 pm that evening Ronnie was pulled out from under the bridge by Terry at Ronnie's dad direction . The timeline given in these articles are totally wrong .

 

[Ssschu]

First off it wasn't at 9 pm terry and Simon first reported Ronnie missing at around 2 pm calling his brother again around 4 again at around 6 that's when the brother and Ronnies parents went to the draw and started the search where he was found around 730 or 8 pm that evening Ronnie was pulled out from under the bridge by Terry at Ronnie's dad direction . The timeline given in these articles are totally wrong .

That is so frustrating. I appreciate your insight!