Murder of Carla Walker

The murder of Carla Walker is a high-profile American cold case involving the 1974 kidnapping, rape, and murder of a 17-year-old high school student in Fort Worth, Texas. The case remained unsolved for 46 years until forensic genealogy identified Glen McCurley as the perpetrator in 2020.

Background and abduction

On the evening of February 17, 1974, Carla Walker (1956–1974) and her boyfriend, Rodney McCoy, attended a Valentine’s Day dance at Western Hills High School. Following the event, the couple was sitting in McCoy’s car at a local bowling alley parking lot when the passenger door was yanked open by an unknown assailant.

The attacker struck McCoy in the head with the butt of a pistol, rendering him semi-conscious. According to McCoy’s testimony, Walker pleaded with the man to stop hitting McCoy, telling the assailant, “I’ll go with you.” Her final words to McCoy were to go get her father. Walker was then forcibly abducted from the scene.

Initial investigation (1974)

Following a three-day intensive search involving the FBI and local authorities, Walker’s body was discovered in a concrete culvert near Benbrook Lake. She had been raped, tortured, and strangled.

• Evidence: Investigators recovered a loaded Ruger pistol magazine at the scene of the abduction and a “promise ring” given to Walker by McCoy near her body.

• Suspects: Rodney McCoy was initially the primary suspect due to public scrutiny, though the Walker family maintained his innocence. Among the original persons of interest was Glen McCurley, who lived nearby and owned a Ruger pistol. However, McCurley passed a polygraph test at the time and was eliminated as a suspect.

Cold case and Jim Walker’s advocacy

For decades, the case remained cold. Rodney McCoy moved to Alaska to escape the stigma of suspicion, while Carla’s brother, Jim Walker, became obsessed with finding justice. Despite a diagnosis of legal blindness that ended his aspirations of becoming a detective, Jim continued to pressure the Fort Worth Police Department. In 2020, he contacted Detective Leah Wagner, who agreed to reopen the case using modern technology.

DNA breakthrough and arrest

In 2020, forensic investigators utilized advanced DNA sequencing on a minute sample (5 nanograms) found on Walker’s clothing from 1974.

1. Forensic Genealogy: The sample was sent to a private lab (Othram Inc.), which produced a genealogical profile that pointed to the McCurley family.

2. Surveillance: Detectives surreptitiously obtained a discarded McDonald’s straw used by Glen McCurley. The DNA on the straw matched the profile found on the victim’s clothing.

3. Arrest: On September 21, 2020, the 77-year-old McCurley was arrested at his home in Fort Worth, only miles from the original crime scene.

Trial and confession

The trial of Glen McCurley began on August 19, 2021. During the proceedings, Rodney McCoy provided emotional testimony about the night of the abduction. On the third day of the trial, in a surprise move, McCurley changed his plea to guilty.

• Sentencing: McCurley was sentenced to life in prison.

• Other Potential Victims: Authorities suspect McCurley, dubbed the “Valentine’s Day Killer,” may be responsible for up to seven other unsolved murders of young women in the Fort Worth area between 1967 and 1985.

Legacy and “The Carla Walker Act”

The resolution of the case brought significant closure to the Fort Worth community. Jim Walker notably offered forgiveness to McCurley’s son, Roddy, stating that the son was “not responsible for the sins of the father.”

In response to the case, Texas Senator John Cornyn introduced the Carla Walker Act. The legislation aims to provide federal funding for local law enforcement to use advanced forensic DNA testing to solve similar cold cases across the United States.