Dallas District attorney (DA) John Creuzot on Friday detained and indicted a man for the 84 killing Mary Jane Thompson, 21 years old.
After 38 years of investigation, Edward Morgan, 60 now faces one count for capital murder in Thompson’s death. This was after an investigation by both the DA’s Office and the FBI.
After a DNA test linking him to the crime, Thompson was arrested almost 38 years later.
“This case is another example of the amazing collaboration between the Dallas Police Department and the FBI. We continue to solve the most challenging cold cases Dallas has ever seen, working together,” said Leighton D’Antoni, Dallas County Assistant District Attorney and Chief of SAKI.
He said, “I look forwards to working with all of our local law enforcement agencies to use the advances in forensic testing techniques for identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the most dangerous predators among us.” These cases, the victims and their families are never forgotten.
Thompson was last seen February 11, 1984 when she took a bus from her home to the Trinity Medical Clinic, which was then on Industrial Boulevard. However, it was closed according to the Dallas Morning News.
Two days later, authorities found her body behind a block at 2300 Block Irving Boulevard in the Stemmons Corridor. The Morning News reported that investigators determined that Thompson had been sexually assaulted, and she was strangled using her own leg warmers.
DPD opened the cold case again in 2009 and performed DNA testing using swabs taken from Thompson’s autopsy. The case was closed again in 2018 after investigators discovered that the DNA profile of an unknown male did not match the one being investigated. According to the DA’s office, DPD was joined by the FBI Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force.
Morgan was finally identified by forensic genetic genealogy analysis (FGG), which revealed that he was involved in the crime earlier this week.
D’Antoni stated that FBI Dallas and DPD Detective Noe Camacho “spent countless amounts of time over multiple years working diligently to solve what at times seemed impossible.”
It is not often that we can solve a 38-year old cold capital murder. To see it through, you need to be a true believer in justice and have a strong commitment to the cause. “The people of Dallas are extremely fortunate to have them helping us protect our community,” D’Antoni stated.
Morgan is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
