Sept 20 2022 rbbm.
13 Unsolved: Who was waiting in the weeds to kill Worthing HS student Trellis Sykes?
A Texas True Crime story: Worthing High School basketball star Trellis Sykes was murdered in 1994.
On May 13, 1994, Trellis was strangled and raped in Sunnyside, found dead on Redbud Street, just a few blocks from the home where she lived with her grandmother.''
"When the forensics people came and they brought her body out, (Trellis') leg was hanging and we seen the tennis shoe and that's how we knew it was her," Pamela says. "I'll never forget it. Never. Ever."
The killer had been waiting in the weeds, police say.
Pamela says Trellis was the star of the family - and she was going places. Basketball was taking her there. Trellis made a name for herself on the court. At six feet tall, the teen towered over most girls her age, earning her the nickname "Tre." But her size was the only intimidating thing about her. Trellis was kind, quiet, and focused in school. Ronnie Evans, the former vice principal at Worthing, says Trellis consistently made the honor roll and was working for a college scholarship.
"(She was) tenacious. The girl could run. She could jump. She could shoot," Evans says. "And I tell you, you could not intimidate her."
"She kept everybody happy. She was a happy girl. She had a happy life," said Pamela.''
''Trellis fought like hell, Shorten says. The teen broke nails as she clawed at her attacker, trying to get away. Trellis was hit on the head, raped, then strangled, investigators say. Her killer seemingly disappeared through the high weeds into the neighborhood.''
''HPD cold case detectives say they're resubmitting evidence in Trellis' case. These detectives say they'll work to make sure Trellis is never forgotten.
"Her family deserves closure," says Reiser. "They've suffered for so long not knowing. She was just walking to school. She did nothing wrong."
Herman Whitfield agreed to talk to ABC13 on camera in his first interview about his case ever. Watch "13 Unsolved: Who Was Waiting in the Weeds?" to see what happened when we sat down with him at the prison in Gatesville where he's serving his sentence.''
