TX TX - Trang Michelle Van, 18, Houston, 2 July 2009

[OkieGranny]

http://www.khou.com/story/news/2014/07/22/11853056/

Van was found dead in her home in the 10100 block of Lazy Lagoon on July 2, 2009.

Van's family became concerned after she missed a planned meeting with a relative. After the relative called several times and could not reach her, family members went to find out what was wrong. That is when Van's father found her body inside a closet in the house.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/18-year-old-in-closet-died-of-stab-wound-1533971.php

Van, a recent Cy-Fair High School graduate who alternatively lived with either of her divorced parents, was stabbed in the neck.

http://www.khou.com/story/news/loca...of-charges-in-2009-cold-case-murder/14075259/

Joseph Michael Payne is no longer charged with capital murder in the death of 18-year-old Trang Michelle Van...

Payne was charged in 2012 after multiple tips came into Colorado County authorities. Subsequent investigation led to charges, but authorities say, as it turns out, Payne himself sent in the anonymous tips. Investigators said Payne implicated himself in the murder hoping that, once he was cleared, that would clear the child charges against him.

He is still in custody on those charges.

 

[sasha17]

Have there been any updates to this case?

I'm watching a documentary called "Smiles and Kisses You" which is about a very different topic, but the main person being profiled in this documentary was close personal friends with Trang Van and discusses her murder and his emotional reactions to it, and how it's affected his life.

I hadn't heard of this case before but came to see if there was a WS thread on it, and found this thread.