TX TX - Caroline Susan Bolen, 26, Silsbee, 28 July 1988 *found murdered at home*

[CastlesBurning]

https://www.chron.com/news/article/caroline-bolen-tx-murder-18264080.php

Friday, July 28 marks 35 years since 26-year-old Caroline Susan Bolen was murdered in her Silsbee home in 1988. The Texas Rangers recently went to social media and are requesting anyone with information to step forward after reopening the case in 2019.

After the murder, the Silsbee Police Department and Texas Rangers conducted an investigation but no viable leads have been developed since Bolen’s death, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Archives from local reporting from the Silsbee Bee in August of 1988 stated Bolen was new to the area and moved to Silsbee from Lumberton two weeks before her death, according to Shawn Blackwell, police chief in Silsbee. She worked at Christus St. Elizabeth in a clerical-type position and went bowling the night before her untimely death.

"Evidence suggests that the homicide may be sexually related with the autopsy ruling asphyxia as the cause," said Blackwell.

Any information can be submitted to the Silsbee Police Department with the case investigator Justin Holt at 409-385-3714 or submit a tip to www.dps.texas.gov.

Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for his crime, the release said. However, information tips must go through the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) to be eligible for the cash reward.

In addition, the Texas Rangers are also assigned to the case and may be contacted at 1-800-346-3243 or online.

 

[dotr]

rbbm

Gone Cold | DPS seeks help in solving 35-year-old murder of Silsbee woman

On July 28, 1988, Caroline Susan Bolen, 26, was found dead in her Silsbee, Texas home by one of her friends. Since then, authorities have had no viable leads.

www.kcentv.com

'The Silasbee Police Department originally sent DNA fingerprint evidence to a lab in New York within a year since her death, but the lab said there was an insufficient amount of DNA evidence at the time, according to the newspaper. Police then sent evidence to the FBI, but no viable leads came from it.''

"We are now pursuing new leads based on old evidence using today's technology," Texas Ranger Brandon Bess told 6 News' sister station, KBMT. Bess explained they are going to look into new technology when it comes to DNA evidence.
DPS also hopes the public can help them attain new leads in their investigation with Silsbee Police.''

Details - Unsolved Homicide

www.dps.texas.gov

Texas Rangers Cold Case Investigation Detail

Caroline Bolen

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REFERENCE NUMBER: 301 - Unsolved
COMPANY: A
RACE: White
SEX: Female
CITY: Silsbee
COUNTY: Hardin
RELATED YEAR: 1988
Submit a Tip Online

DETAILS:
On July 28, 1988, 26-year-old Caroline Susan Bolen was found deceased by a friend at her home in Silsbee, Hardin County.

An extensive investigation was immediately initiated and conducted by the Silsbee Police Department and Texas Rangers, but no viable leads have been developed since Ms. Bolen’s death.

The Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program and The Silsbee Police Departments Special Assignments Unit reopened the case in 2019 and are seeking the public’s assistance with this investigation.

Any information can be submitted to the Silsbee Police Department SAU Investigator Justin Holt at 409-385-3714, Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip to www.dps.texas.gov Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program; all tips are anonymous.

Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 to any person who provides informationthat leads to the arrest of the person/persons responsible forthis crime. To be eligible for the cash rewards, tipsters MUST call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). All tips are anonymous. Tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.

Information on this case may also be submitted in the following manner:

• Submit a Tip Online thru the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website
• Contact us by telephone at 1-800-346-3243. Your information will be forwarded to the Texas Rangerassigned to this case.''

 

[CastlesBurning]

Investigators using DNA to try and solve Silsbee mother's killing more than 30 years later

She was well-known and well-liked, Bess said, making solving her killing even more confusing.

"This was not a forced entry case that you are looking for here, this is not a robbery that we know of," Bess said.

So, they turned to DNA using Othram, a private lab in The Woodlands, and a grant Silsbee were awarded from a non-profit called "Season of Justice."

“All the DNA that we have that we believe to be suspect DNA was indeed the same person," Bess said.

Now begins the work of forensic genealogy, building out family trees.

"When you have DNA I don’t think any case is unsolvable because everybody is kin to somebody," Bess explained.

It's a fighting chance for a family to finally get answers.

“I’ve not done one of these where we have DNA that we have not solved," Bess said.