DNA Tests Could Help Solve 24-Year-Old Cold Case

Woman's disappearance now considered open murder investigation

MERCEDES - The Texas Rangers now say a woman who vanished 24 years ago was murdered.

New evidence has surfaced in the case of Kim Sue Leggett, 24 years after she vanished from her father-in-law's cotton gin in Mercedes.

Local, state, and federal authorities were called in to search for her, even psychics tried to solve Kim's disappearance.

Her family says not knowing what happened is what what causes the most pain.

"Because there is no closure, it brings more hurt than anything, by bringing it up in a family setting," says her brother Daron Skurich.

Some people tried to bring the closure Kim's family needs, people like Jaime Vazquez, a former investigator for the Mercedes Police Department.

"I used to keep Kim in a box. Everything that had to do with her sat in my office, in my home. I worked on it in my own time," he says.

NEWSCHANNEL 5 asked Mercedes Police about that box. They told us the evidence, photographs, and recordings were all turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI recently asked for Kim's family members to submit samples for DNA analysis.

In 1984, when Kim first went missing, DNA testing was not available. But today it could make the difference in finding her killer.

NEWSCHANNEL 5 asked why it's taken more than 20 years for a break in the case.

We were told there were errors in the way the case was handled. The Texas Rangers weren't even called until 20 days after she disappeared.

The Texas Rangers say at first the case seemed like an aggravated kidnapping, but it is now considered an open murder investigation.

The FBI at first asked us to stop our investigation into Kim's disappearance. That's because they say they're closer than they've ever been to making an arrest.

When it happens, you can count on NEWSCHANNEL 5 to bring you the details.