A 76-year-old dad committed suicide after 22 years of hunting for the person who killed his daughter. Jerry Harris, a veteran Marine, spent over 20 years seeking for Jennifer’s murderer.
In May 2002, her body was discovered washed up on a river bank. She was just 28 years old.
On Tuesday morning, June 4, he committed suicide outside the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, stating in one of three letters that it was unrelated to the cold case.
In one letter to Sheriff Mark Johnson, Jennifer’s dad stated that he was tired of dealing with his own health concerns and that he chose to end his life.
He also stated that he chose the spot to make things easier for emergency responders.
Jennifer was last seen on May 12, 2002, and her Jeep was discovered abandoned along a road near Lake Bonham.
Six days later, fishermen discovered her decomposed body floating in the Red River, with her uterus removed.
Jennifer’s cause of death was determined to be homicidal violence. A $3,000 reward was given for information that led to an arrest.
A private investigator in the case, Jim Holloway, last spoke to Harris in 2015 and said he remembered him “being so sad and broken down over this that he just didn’t know who to turn to”.
“He was just bewildered, this ate up with sadness and sorrow,” Holloway told KXII.
The investigator said that Harris was looking for closure.
“He told me one time, he said, I hope they do solve it before I die,” Holloway said.
Sheriff-elect Cody Shook stated that all cold cases will be evaluated utilising the most advanced technical tools.
“All families deserve closure regarding their loved ones,” he told the TV station, “And I look forward to having access to the cases and seeing if there are any investigative options that can be applied.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli