TX TX - Sylvia Salinas, 30, Galveston, 31 Oct 1989

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Sylvia Salinas was robbed and stabbed to death back in 1989 on Halloween. The original timeline states that she was alone in her business, Salinas Food Store, during the 1:00 PM hour. At about 1:20 PM, someone entered the store. At 1:23 PM, the silent alarm was triggered. The first officer arrived on the scene at 1:27 PM. He found Sylvia dead behind the counter.

According to the police report, there were no defense wounds on her forearms, wrists or hands. There was one stab wound on her chest and a knife measuring 9-10 inches was found near her body. Besides for coins and food stamps, the cash register was empty. Sylvia did not press the silent alarm; it went off because the perpetrator was taking the bills from the register. Most likely had to use a knife to pry it open. Sylvia had a gun and a machete under the counter that were untouched. It was theorized that she may have known the assailant well enough to have her guard down. She was sitting on a stool when she was stabbed.

Despite this occurring during the day and what was described as an "open neighborhood", no one reported anything suspicious. Interviews were conducted but no one was ever charged. Hurricane Ike destroyed evidence in this case (as well as other cold cases) except for a video tape that was taken of the crime scene.

VHS tape that survived Ike could help solve murder of Galveston woman stabbed in heart

One of the most valuable items in the case file is the video tape of the crime scene. Hours after Sylvia Salinas was murdered, detectives arrived and recorded the scene.

This video has never been seen by the public, until now.

"This video is the only evidence we have left in the case," Sollennerger said.

Before the case went cold, about 20 men were interviewed by detectives. All of them were eliminated. But Sollenberger says fingerprints found at the scene were preserved. Now, she plans to resubmit those prints to the crime lab.

 

[folieadeuxnola]

Monday Crime Stories: An old VHS tape offers new clues in Sylvia Salinas murder

Sylvia Salinas was working behind the counter at her family’s grocery store in Galveston, Texas, when she was fatally stabbed through the heart on Halloween day in 1989. The investigation of the 30-year-old’s murder turned cold decades ago, but the work of a TV reporter and Salina’s great niece has revealed new clues in an old videotape of the crime scene.

 

[margarita25]

Bump

 

[ghoulnextdoor]

Taken from the Galveston Daily News published November 4th, 1989

Sylvia Salinas, age 30, owned and operated Salinas Food Store at 3028 Ave. Q in Galveston. Tuesday, she spent the lunch hour stocking shelves. She was alone.
At about 1:20 p.m., someone entered the store. At 1:23, Galveston police responded to the store's silent alarm. Officer John Lopez arrived at 1:27.
He found Sylvia lying behind the counter. According the police report, "the victim was obviously dead ... no defensive-type wounds are present on the decedent's forearms, wrists or hands. There one stab wound... above the left breast."
A knife measuring "9-10 inches in length" was found near the body. Except for and food stamps, the cash register was empty. By cleaning the register of all bills, the killer unknowingly triggered the alarm.
Sylvia never sounded an alarm, nor did she reach for loaded gun she kept under the counter. Because of that, and because of her relaxed posture at the time of the stabbing — she was seated on a stool — police reported the following: "She may have known her assailant enough to invite him/her behind the counter as she often allows with people she knows."

 

[CastlesBurning]

Bumping for Sylvia...it's now been 31 years.

 

[mtlupy]

Bumping for Sylvia. It's now been over 32 years.

 

[Beccalicious]

Bumping