TX TX-Samuel Cook-36-Lufkin-11 September 2007

[AshleyM95]

On the night of September 11, 2007, someone entered the home of my cousin, Samuel Cook, and physically assaulted him, ultimately shooting him 3 times. The family has suspected two individuals since day one and it’s as though investors were handed several gift wrapped leads yet not one resident on the street ever even received a knock on the door by law enforcement doing even a small neighborhood canvas. The family is desperate. My first post here so please correct me if I’m not Doing it all right.

 

[Elvee]

Resource Digging Online for this Case: (Chronological)

• Lufkin Daily News 09/11/2007

Lawmen investigating murder of Lufkin painter

• Lufkin Daily News 09/12/2007

Shooting victim may have been attacked while he was asleep

• KLTV 09/12/2007

Angelina County Murder Investigation

• Crimestoppers Public Appeal Lufkin Daily News 03/31/2009

CRIME OF THE WEEK: Crime Stoppers offering special reward for cold case information

• Lufkin Daily News 09/10/2009

Vicious slaying of Lufkin man 2 years ago haunts the memories of his family, friends

• KTRE 09/11/2014

Who Killed Sam Cook: Family still searching for answers in seven year old cold case

• Victim Internment Information

Samuel Carroll “Bubba” Cook (1970-2007) - Find A...

• Justice for Sam Cook Facebook Page

Justice for Sam Cook

• Police Public Records Search (Victim, searching for known associates, possible motive)

SAMUEL CARROLL COOK Inmate 84376: Angelina County Jail near Lufkin, TX

Notes:
Some odd things came up in my online search. Very little information about this crime was released by the police to the press. Most information was gleaned by either talking with the family or neighbors. Another oddity, this case is not listed in the unsolved homicide directories of: Angelina County, Texas Department of Justice, Lufkin Police, Texas Rangers or Project: Cold Case. At least I couldn't find it. The Crimestoppers plea generated ZERO leads.

Sheriff Sanger was still gathering all available evidence on the case in the latest article I could find. Family rumor is that evidence is missing. I can't substantiate that claim.

There is quite a bit of work that can be done yet (these are just a few ideas):

1. The Tyler Morning Telegraph carried the Obituary of Mr. Cook. However, the paper only has archives going back to 2013 on its website. They could be contacted to add additional press coverage to expand the file.
2. Contact can be made directly to the Angelina County Sheriff's office, specifically Sheriff Sanger for a plea for public information. A FOIA request can also be filed, but all personal data would be redacted according to privacy laws.
3. Contact reporter Jessica Savage via the Lufkin Daily News. She has written all the articles on this crime for the local paper.
4. Heresay confirmation of Mr. Cook's family and children living in Missouri at the time of his death.
5. As of the last press writing the Texas Rangers were being brought into the case, no investigator was named in the article. A FOIA request could also be sent to them.
6. The Family FB page needs to be gone over with a fine toothed comb for concrete leads.
6. Creation of Victim Timeline.

This crime is not that old as far as Cold Cases go. I think we could really do some good here. People are still alive. In long held cases, most of the people familiar with the case will have strong held beliefs on what happened and why. We have to be careful of assumptions and opinions held as fact that can't be backed by evidence.

If you have any other source material or ideas of pursuit, please feel free to chime in.

 

[AshleyM95]

Resource Digging Online for this Case: (Chronological)

• Lufkin Daily News 09/11/2007

Lawmen investigating murder of Lufkin painter

• Lufkin Daily News 09/12/2007

Shooting victim may have been attacked while he was asleep

• KLTV 09/12/2007

Angelina County Murder Investigation

• Crimestoppers Public Appeal Lufkin Daily News 03/31/2009

CRIME OF THE WEEK: Crime Stoppers offering special reward for cold case information

• Lufkin Daily News 09/10/2009

Vicious slaying of Lufkin man 2 years ago haunts the memories of his family, friends

• KTRE 09/11/2014

Who Killed Sam Cook: Family still searching for answers in seven year old cold case

• Victim Internment Information

Samuel Carroll “Bubba” Cook (1970-2007) - Find A...

• Justice for Sam Cook Facebook Page

Justice for Sam Cook

• Police Public Records Search (Victim, searching for known associates, possible motive)

SAMUEL CARROLL COOK Inmate 84376: Angelina County Jail near Lufkin, TX

Notes:
Some odd things came up in my online search. Very little information about this crime was released by the police to the press. Most information was gleaned by either talking with the family or neighbors. Another oddity, this case is not listed in the unsolved homicide directories of: Angelina County, Texas Department of Justice, Lufkin Police, Texas Rangers or Project: Cold Case. At least I couldn't find it. The Crimestoppers plea generated ZERO leads.

Sheriff Sanger was still gathering all available evidence on the case in the latest article I could find. Family rumor is that evidence is missing. I can't substantiate that claim.

There is quite a bit of work that can be done yet (these are just a few ideas):

1. The Tyler Morning Telegraph carried the Obituary of Mr. Cook. However, the paper only has archives going back to 2013 on its website. They could be contacted to add additional press coverage to expand the file.
2. Contact can be made directly to the Angelina County Sheriff's office, specifically Sheriff Sanger for a plea for public information. A FOIA request can also be filed, but all personal data would be redacted according to privacy laws.
3. Contact reporter Jessica Savage via the Lufkin Daily News. She has written all the articles on this crime for the local paper.
4. Heresay confirmation of Mr. Cook's family and children living in Missouri at the time of his death.
5. As of the last press writing the Texas Rangers were being brought into the case, no investigator was named in the article. A FOIA request could also be sent to them.
6. The Family FB page needs to be gone over with a fine toothed comb for concrete leads.
6. Creation of Victim Timeline.

This crime is not that old as far as Cold Cases go. I think we could really do some good here. People are still alive. In long held cases, most of the people familiar with the case will have strong held beliefs on what happened and why. We have to be careful of assumptions and opinions held as fact that can't be backed by evidence.

If you have any other source material or ideas of pursuit, please feel free to chime in.

I’m the first cousin on the victim, and the OP here. I’m nowhere near as valuable a resource of info as his sisters and mom but I’m available if I can help at all.

 

[Elvee]

I’m the first cousin on the victim, and the OP here. I’m nowhere near as valuable a resource of info as his sisters and mom but I’m available if I can help at all.

The first thing I'd like to do is round up all media reports and copies of official documents -like police reports. Please let me know if you or your family have anything to add to the above list.
The second thing I'd like to add is that I'm a regular citizen, just like you and your family. I am not licensed nor will I get any special treatment from law enforcement. Our goal here is to go over all available credible evidence and generate new leads in this case for law enforcement to help keep the case alive and hopefully help law enforcement bring it to resolution.
I have reached out to the family through the FB page listed above. If you speak with them, please let them know I am trying to contact them.
I sincerely hope I can help you.

 

[Elvee]

I have acquired a copy of the autopsy report and a redacted FOIA request from the sheriff's office from a source close to the case. These documents are stored online for case worker access. Please contact me for access if you'd like to help work this case.

Any additional tips or documentation are truly appreciated. Please help the sheriff's office close this cold case.