Weatherford Police honor Lt. Johnny Qualls for solving a 1998 cold case
Summary
Lieutenant Johnny Qualls received a chief's commendation after investigators used forensic genealogy to identify human remains from 1998, bringing long-awaited closure to the family.
Weatherford Police Department investigators presented a chief's commendation to Lieutenant Johnny Qualls for his work solving a 1998 cold case.
In a video description shown to council, Qualls said human remains found near the Petro truck stop in 1998 had initially been ruled a suicide; there was no identification at the scene. Advances in forensic genealogy prompted re-review of the case, and investigators developed a possible family lead. After contacting a man identified as a potential son and obtaining a DNA kit, staff confirmed the remains were his mother, identified as Nellie, who had been missing for approximately 25 years from another state. The case was solved roughly 26 years and seven months after it was opened, and staff noted the investigation provided closure for the Gillespie family.
The mayor and council presented Qualls with the chief's commendation for the case work and dedication.
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