Gone Cold - Texas True Crime

The morning of Monday, October 26th, 1998 was like any other for Peggy Lynn Howard and her young daughter. The two got up, performed their normal morning routine, and left their home for school and work. The morning ended tragically, however, and the young mother and daughter wouldn’t even make it in the car. Six-year-old Allyssa was holding her mother’s hand when she was gunned down outside the condominium. Peggy’s killer has never been brought to justice for her murder.

If you have any information about the murder of Peggy Lynn Howard, please call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800 252 8477.

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The Houston Chronicle, The Houston Press, and KHOU.com were used as sources for this episode.

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Managing editor of the Clifton Record, W. Leon Smith, continued working both Judy Whitley and Mickey Bryan’s cases for years. In 1999, when ex-Clifton policeman Dennis Murry Dunlap was officially named Judy’s killer, Leon was almost certain Joe Bryan hadn’t murdered his wife Mickey but couldn’t find the evidence to exonerate him. A few years later, a Waco attorney began looking into Joe’s case and was appalled at the lack of evidence he was convicted on. It was this attorney’s student at Baylor University Law, Jessica Freud, however, that inarguably proved Joe Dale Bryan should not have been convicted. Still, an old school, old guard Texas judge wasn’t willing to write the wrong the state had made.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

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Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record and the reporting of W. Leon Smith, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times’ two-part series “Blood Will Tell” by Pamela Colloff,  The Waco Tribune-Herald, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10172881/, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC.

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #JusticeForHelenKilgore #JusticeForSheliaVandygriff #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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In 1991, Don Whitley visited the editor of the local newspaper with a plea: help him get justice for his daughter, slain Clifton, Texas teenager Judy Whitley. He had a suspect in mind who might also be responsible for another crime – the murder of 44-year-old Clifton Elementary School Teacher Mickey Bryan. The newspaperman knew that Mickey’s husband Joe Bryan had been convicted of the crime, and he had faith in the justice system, but while searching for justice for Judy Whitley, doubts began to emerge. Particularly, when a Clifton Policeman became a seemingly viable suspect for both. Part 5 of 6.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

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Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10172881/, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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In August of 1984, just five months after 13-year-old Helen Kilgore was found murdered on the side the road, authorities in Bosque County, Texas had another body – that of 19-year-old Hood County woman Shelia Vandygriff. Though Shelia was murdered, the friend with whom she was abducted was set free after being assaulted. She went to Hood County authorities with what had happened, but they struggled to find leads, at least any that were viable or made any sense. After three law enforcement jurisdiction, the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office, the Hood County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Rangers failed to identify a strong suspect, the murder of Shelia Vandygriff went cold. Was there a connection between Shelia’s murder and the other three in the county within a two-year period that shared similarities?

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Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast Sources: The Hood County News, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and The Clifton Record. 

#JusticeForSheliaVandygriff #JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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When it was time for the defense to present their case in the State of Texas V. Joe Dale Bryan, for the murder of Mickey Marlene Bryan, attorney Charles McDonald was confident he’d get his client off. Not only did he truly believe in Joe’s innocence, but also, the prosecution simply had no evidence. Certainly nothing scientific. But, did the fact that the state presented what they had as forensic facts influence the jury? With the murder of Judy Whitley earlier in 1985 still unsolved, it seems likely the public was looking to close at least one of the cases. And since Judy’s had no suspect on trial, Mickey’s murder, at the hands of someone statistically more likely to have committed it, might help put the public’s mind at ease should it be closed. But at what cost?

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

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Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10172881/, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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As the State of Texas V. Joe Dale Bryan got underway, the prosecution was pulling no punches. Witnesses from Texas Ranger Joe Wiley to victim Mickey Bryan’s brother Charlie Blue had damning indictments of Joe Bryan. But on cross-examination, defense attorney Charles McDonald, during these two witnesses particularly, didn’t hold back and pointed out at least some of the big holes in the state’s case. There was reasonable doubt all over the place, and it’s especially easy to see in hindsight, but with upstanding law enforcement officer and upright citizens testifying against Joe, would jurors see it?

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

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Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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A few months before Clifton Elementary fourth grade teacher Mickey Bryan was slain, another unimaginable and heinous crime took place less than a mile away. There were rampant whispers going around what the small city’s newspaper referred to as “The Famous Clifton Rumor Mill,” and when Joe Bryan was arrested and charged with his wife’s murder, the chatter grew louder and more intricately weaved. In the months leading up to the trial, Joe felt abandoned by just about everyone but his closest friends and family. When it came time to enter the courtroom, he told others he was ready to get it behind him so he could find Mickey’s killer. But nothing is ever that easy.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

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Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10172881/, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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Before the 1985 murder of 4th grade teacher Mickey Bryan in Clifton, there were several other murders, including the April 1984 murder of 13-year-old Helen Kilgore, whose body was found in Bosque County. After she was identified, at least for a while, authorities were theorizing the killing was an occult ritual or sacrifice to Satan because of a tattoo Helen had. It’s unclear how much time and evidence the ridiculous theory cost detectives, or if their suspects were worthy of investigation. Because of the Satanic Panic angle, unfortunately, the case received little attention in the media.

If you have information about the murder of Helen Marie Kilgore, please call Texas Crime Stoppers 1-800-252-8477. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 in return.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

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Sources: The Clifton Record, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), and The Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)

#JusticeForHelenKilgore #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase #SatanicPanic

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In October 1985, the seemingly idyllic life of small-town educators Mickey and Joe Bryan came crashing down when she was shot and killed in their home. Joe, who was out of town for a work conference, appeared devastated and though they could find no signs the Bryan home had been forcibly entered, the Clifton, Texas Police first theorized the crime was a burglary gone wrong. But when Mickey’s brother come to town and discovers a shocking piece of evidence alongside his ex-FBI Private Investigator, a new motive arises. Or, perhaps more accurately, a new motive is created. Was Joe responsible for Mickey’s slaying? The lead investigator, a Texas Ranger, was hellbent on proving that was the case.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

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Sources: cityofclifton.org, tshaonline.org, innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, 20/20 ABC, KWTX.com, People.com, and KCNTV.com 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

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34-year-old Alton Peek, Red River County Precinct 4 Commissioner, had everything going for him. He’d been working his way into local politics since high school and was moving up. He had the admiration and respect of the community, particularly in his hometown, Boxelder, Texas. Alton had a beautiful family, a wife and two young boys. So, when he was shot to death while feeding his cattle in August of 1996, a motive, perhaps, perplexed the Red River County Sheriff’s Office the most. Alton Peek wasn’t robbed, he had no financial problems, his political position wasn’t one most folks would kill for. Rumors swirled for years as the case became steeped in controversy, just as they had concerning a case that happened the year before Alton Douglas Peek’s murder: the disappearance of Jennifer Joyce Bench. But as it grew cold and left the local newspaper headlines, they settled. 12 years later, an arrest – shocking to some and no surprise to others – brought everything back to the forefront. However, nothing stuck.

If you have any information about the 1996 murder of Alton Peek or the 1995 disappearance of Jennifer Bench please contact the Red River County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 427-3838.

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Sources: The Clarksville Times, The Paris News, and tshaonline.org.

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