The person at the center of this case
Deborah Sue Williamson
Homicide · Open
1 year waiting · since 2025
Deborah Sue Williamson
Justice for Deborah Sue Williamson — the trail went cold in 2025, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Paul Neel, Debbie's ex-boyfriend and Pizza Inn coworker, clocked out at 8:43 p.m. to meet date 'Tina' around 10 p.m.; timeline and alibi warrant scrutiny
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evidence
Lead #2Debbie's purse was taken from the scene and never recovered—what happened to it and who took it?
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person
Lead #3Why did Doug Williamson move to Jonesboro, Arkansas after the murder with no prior connection to the area, and what does his relocation suggest?
Deborah Sue Williamson, 18, was stabbed 17 times in the carport of her Lubbock home on August 24, 1975, with her body dragged to the back step and partially disrobed; her purse was never recovered. Despite nearly 50 years of investigation, no one has been charged or convicted, though evidence suggests the killer was someone close to her. Recent independent investigation by journalists George Jared and Jennifer Bucholtz has uncovered new witness statements and inconsistencies, with DNA testing promised by Lubbock Police Department.
Case
#61
Lubbock Police Department
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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clue
Lead #4The killer navigated the dark carport with confidence, suggesting prior knowledge of the property layout—was the killer familiar with the home?
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witness
Lead #5Mary Ann, the waitress at Pizza Inn, confirmed Doug was there all night; were there gaps in her observation or inconsistencies in her statement?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Timeline of Events
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1975-08-24
21:00Debbie leaves home
Debbie turned off television while watching 'The Odd Couple' and headed to carport to meet her husband at his workplace, carrying keys, purse, and puzzle book
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1975-08-24
21:30Murder occurs
Debbie was stabbed 17 times in the carport, including a puncture wound to her heart; body dragged approximately 25 feet to back step and partially disrobed
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1975-08-24
01:00Body discovered
Doug Williamson left work and returned home to find his wife's lifeless body
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2021-06-01
Cold case reinvestigation begins
Investigative journalist George Jared and former Army counterintelligence officer Jennifer Bucholtz begin independent investigation; book 'Silent Silhouette' published with new interviews and evidence
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 24, 1975 at 9:00 PM
Last Updated:August 19, 2025
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Case Information
Incident:August 24, 1975 at 9:00 PM
Last Updated:August 19, 2025