Ray Anthony Chapa was identified on November 15, 2021 as the lead suspect in the April 24, 1986 rape and murder of 32-year-old Janet Elaine Love in Bedford, Texas. The case has been cleared by exception due to the death of Chapa.
An unknown intruder had broken into Love’s apartment and raped, and then fatally shot her. Love’s body was found by co-workers after she failed to show up for work. She had been a ticket agent for Delta Airlines.
A DNA profile of the suspect was obtained from a sexual assault kit but did not match any profiles in law enforcement databases. The FGG investigation was funded by the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Project. Two family members of Chapa assisted investigators through targeted kinship testing.
Chapa was 19 years old at the time of Love’s murder, and he lived close to Love in a neighboring apartment complex. Chapa passed away in January 2021 at the age of 53 from a terminal illness. He had a criminal history of theft and drug possession, but no offences that would have required him to provide his DNA. Police continue to investigate whether Chapa might be linked to other crimes.
Sources:
Bonvillian, Crystal. “Dead Man Identified as Alleged Killer in 1986 Texas Rape, Murder of Delta Ticket Agent.” The Eagle, November 17, 2021. Accessed November 19, 2021. https://www.houstonseagle.com/news/trending/dead-man-identified-alleged-killer-1986-texas-rape-murder-delta-ticket-agent/ZOUNQC3ZDFGDPKGP2LMMWC72HI/.
Kalmbacher, Colin. “Texas Cold Case Ends More than Three Decades After Cops Say Now-Dead Neighbor Raped and Murdered Woman.” Law & Crime, November 16, 2021. Accessed November 19, 2021. https://lawandcrime.com/crime/texas-cold-case-ends-more-than-three-decades-after-cops-say-now-dead-neighbor-raped-and-murdered-woman/.
Ramirez, Jr., Domingo. “DNA Identifies Killer of Woman in 1986 Bedford Cold Case; Suspect Died in January.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, November 15, 2021. Accessed November 19, 2021. https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article255832211.html.