Decades after the murder of 17-year-old Lecia McGee went cold, advances in forensic testing gave investigators an opportunity to take another look at the evidence that remained. Testing on a cigarette butt recovered from Lecia’s car produced a male DNA profile. That profile eventually matched a Fort Worth man already serving a prison sentence for a violent attack; a man who, as a teenager, had been questioned in the initial investigation.
The discovery led detectives into the man’s extensive history of violence. Years after Lecia’s murder, he deliberately struck a woman with his truck as she was speed walking in her neighborhood, leaving her critically injured before attempting to force her into his vehicle. He fled after a failed attempt to abduct her, but was eventually arrested and put back behind bars. Investigators also examined an earlier crime spree involving burglaries, armed robberies, stolen vehicles, and gunfire.
Perhaps most significant was his history before Lecia was killed. While living only a short distance from her family, he had already been involved in increasingly serious crimes. Shortly before Lecia’s death, he abducted a young woman after playing Good Samaritan. Luckily, she escaped before he could do his worst. After hearing about Lecia’s murder, someone familiar with that incident contacted homicide detectives and pointed out possible similarities between the two cases. Police questioned the teenager and his family, but the lead was never fully pursued.
Decades later, the DNA match brought investigators back to him. He denied knowing Lecia well or ever being inside her car, despite his DNA being found there. Detectives believed the accumulated circumstances were significant, but prosecutors concluded the available evidence was not enough to bring a murder charge. With key physical evidence gone and no additional DNA linking him directly to the killing, Lecia’s case remains unsolved.
Part two of two.
If you have any information about the murder of Lecia Ann McGee, please contact the Fort Worth Police Cold Case Unit at 817-392-4307.
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