The Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit, with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies and DNA testing, has solved the 48-year-old murder of Elizabeth Ann Price.
After nearly five decades, it is now clear that the murder was committed by a child at the time. On April 10, 1976, Lubbock Police were summoned to the 6200 block of North Cedar Avenue, which was then known as the Lubbock Regional Airport.
Upon arrival, officers located Price deceased in the gate house. Detectives immediately began investigating the scene, which was quite expansive, and interviewing possible suspects and potential witnesses. Investigators also collected and submitted evidence to the Lubbock Department of Public Safety Lab in 1976.
However, due to the limited laboratory technology at the time, no tangible leads were developed. Interviews also did not prove to be fruitful. From 1976 to 1984, more than 260 interviews were interviewed.
In 1984, Henry Lee Lucas was charged with Price’s murder after a false confession. However, the charges were dismissed in 1985 once it was discovered he was not responsible for Price’s death. Throughout the years, the case was transferred to different investigators with the hopes that a new set of eyes, or additional development in technology might uncover something previously unknown. In 2002, evidence was submitted to the Lubbock DPS Lab four separate times with the hopes new DNA technology would lead to a break in the case.
In August 2022, with the funding from the SAKI grant, the DNA was submitted to Bode Technology Group in Lorton, Virginia for genealogical testing. With their advanced technology, Bode was able to isolate the DNA to one family tree. One of the individuals in that family tree was deceased and their DNA was available for comparison. The suspect’s DNA was submitted to the Lubbock DPS Lab and on January 18, 2023 it was determined who was responsible for the vicious and heinous murder of Price.
Through further investigation, it was determined the suspect was a stranger to Price. The Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit would like to thank the Texas Rangers Cold Case team, the Lubbock Department of Public Safety Lab, the Lubbock Police Department’s Forensic Investigations Unit, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. Without the tireless work from dozens of detectives throughout the years, this result would not have been possible.
While the State of Texas does not allow the release of the name of the individual responsible for this crime due to their juvenile status at the time of the crime, the Lubbock Police Department wants to reiterate to the public there is no continued threat to the public. There will also be no charges filed due to the suspect being deceased.
