UTA partnership with police leads to an arrest in a 34-year-old murder case.
An arrest has been made in a 34 year old cold case. On Monday, Arlington Police announced they solved the 1991 murder of Cynthia Gonzalez AND they did it with the help of students from UT Arlington . NBC 5’s Katy Blakey has the details and reaction from the victim’s grateful daughter.
Chief Al Jones said detectives solved the 1991 murder of Cynthia Gonzalez with the help of criminology students at the University of Texas at Arlington.“When we launched our partnership with UTA, we always hoped that we could get a moment like this,” Jones told reporters. On September 17, 1991, Cynthia Gonzalez, 25, was reported missing. The young mother had left for work the night before and was never seen alive again.Within hours of her disappearance, her vehicle was found abandoned in the 900 block of Cedar Springs Terrace. Then, on September 22, 1991, her body was found in rural Johnson County. For three decades, neither her family nor Arlington detectives gave up hope that her killer might be found.At the start of the 2025 fall semester, police launched a new advanced course with UTA’s Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice. A group of select students was given rare access to all the materials from the Gonzalez case with the exception of physical evidence. Their fresh eyes lead detectives to re-question now 63-year-old Janie Perkins, a friend who shared a love interest with the victim.“Ms. Perkins knew information only a killer would know,” Jones said.“I am so grateful for this program and so proud of these students at UTA and so thankful for the time they have spent and the effort they have put in to this case,” said Roberts, Gonzalez’s daughter. “I was beside myself and I only found out last Thursday, so it has been a process and I’m still processing this,” Roberts said.“We had to comb through four to five hundred files, photographs from the crime scene,” said UTA senior Jacey Concannon. “We are so honored that we’re able to give the family some peace of mind.”"I'm just so thankful and the gratitude is hard to explain," Roberts said."I hope they get to solve many more cases.“This is basically a culmination of things that should be happening," said UTA professor Patricia Eddings."There are not enough people in crime labs, not enough detectives in crime labs; these people need to be supported so much more."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arlington, Texas Debates LGBTQ+ Protections Amidst Federal PressureArlington, Texas is considering removing LGBTQ+ protections in response to federal executive orders, sparking debate between advocates and conservatives.
Read more »
AEW heading back to North Texas with new residency in JanuaryAEW is kicking off the new year inside some familiar stomping grounds at Esports Stadium Arlington.
Read more »
Arrest made in 1991 Arlington murder cold case following partnership with UTA studentsThe 34-year-old cold case breakthrough was spurred by a new academic partnership between the Arlington Police Department and the University of Texas at Arlington's Criminology Department.
Read more »
Turkey Day trio Post Malone, Jack White and Lil Jon to headline NFL Thanksgiving halftime showsPost Malone, Jack White and Lil Jon will headline NFL Thanksgiving halftime shows in Arlington, Texas; Detroit and Baltimore.
Read more »
Woman arrested after 30 years in a 1991 homicide case in Arlington, officials sayPolice said Janie Perkins was a friend of Cynthia Gonzalez, and back in the day, they shared a romantic partner.
Read more »
Woman arrested after 30 years in Arlington homicide, officials sayPolice said Janie Perkins was a friend of Cynthia Gonzalez, and back in the day, they shared a romantic partner.
Read more »