(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.