TX TX - 87 year old Mary Moore Searight brutally raped and murdered in her Paris home on August 18, 1996 *arrest 2024*

[MadMcGoo]

Unfortunately there is very little information (that I could find) beyond these newspaper articles about Mary’s case. I heard about it through a podcast (which is not an approved source here on WS as of this post). Her murder remains unsolved as far as I can tell.

Hopefully someone is able to find a MSM update or something. This may be a perfect case for @othram as there may likely be DNA available.

(Click on images to enlarge)

Austin American-Statesman 24 Nov 1988, page 21 - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from Austin American-Statesman dated 24 Nov 1988, page 21.

www.newspapers.com

The Paris News 22 Aug 1996, page Page 1 - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from The Paris News dated 22 Aug 1996, page Page 1.

www.newspapers.com

The Paris News 23 Aug 1996, page Page 1 - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from The Paris News dated 23 Aug 1996, page Page 1.

www.newspapers.com

Times Record News 25 Aug 1996, page 2 - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from Times Record News dated 25 Aug 1996, page 2.

www.newspapers.com

Abilene Reporter-News 25 Aug 1996, page 20 - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from Abilene Reporter-News dated 25 Aug 1996, page 20.

www.newspapers.com

There was a double murder in Paris days after Mary’s murder but someone was charged in that case. This was thanks to DNA evidence.


I’m happy to see that Mary’s wishes were honored and the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park is still there to this day. Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park | Nature Rocks Austin

 

[WingsOverTX]

What a wonderful gift she gave to the people of Austin! I had never heard this awful story about her murder. I hope DNA can indeed bring someone to justice.

#JusticeforMaryMSearight

 

[MadMcGoo]

What a wonderful gift she gave to the people of Austin! I had never heard this awful story about her murder. I hope DNA can indeed bring someone to justice.

#JusticeforMaryMSearight

I simply cannot fathom wanting to inflict harm, especially of this nature, on an 87 year old woman. Or anyone for that matter. It just seems so senseless.

 

[ifindedout]

David Paul Cady, 53, arrested in custody

Man charged with murder stemming from 28-year-old East Texas cold case

David Cady is currently being housed in the Hopkins County Jail on an unrelated charge.

www.cbs19.tv

According to the Paris Police Department, David Paul Cady has been arrested for the murder of Mary Margaret Searight. Police say Searight, 81, was brutally beaten inside her home at 711 Pine Bluff on Aug. 18, 1996.

"David Cady was initially considered a person of interest due to an unexplained laceration to his right hand and inconsistent explanations about the injury," the PPD said. "Investigators at that time obtained a swab of Cady’s injured hand."

[...]

Cady is currently incarcerated in the Hopkins County Jail on unrelated felony charges. His bond has been set at $200,000.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=793655949455057&id=100064319784244

 

[dotr]

January 23, 2025

DPS Crime Laboratory Cracks 1996 Cold Case Murder | Department of Public Safety

www.dps.texas.gov

 

[imstilla.grandma]

DPS says he was interviewed by police at the time. He tried to hide a cut on his hand and kept changing his explanation. Investigators got DNA from his hand, but nothing came of it.

Mary Searight: 1996 Texas cold case murder solved; victim has ties to Austin

A 1996 Texas cold case murder of an elderly woman has been solved. The victim, Mary Searight, has ties to Austin.

www.fox7austin.com

Searight owned and rented out several properties in the Paris community, including homes on the same street she lived on. David Paul Cady Jr. one of Searight’s tenants, was among the neighbors interviewed by the Paris Police Department on the night of the crime

https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/modern-technology-helps-solve-east-texas-murder-cold-case/