'Texas Killing Fields' cold case explodes as suspect indicted in two slayings decades after 30 bodies found

A fishy has been indicted successful the decades-long "Texas Killing Fields" acold lawsuit 40 years aft 2 women recovered dormant successful an country wherever astir 30 bodies were recovered on a Lone Star State roadway implicit the years.

James Dolphs Elmore Jr., 61, is charged with manslaughter and felony tampering with grounds successful the decease of Laura Miller, on with an further complaint of tampering with grounds successful the execution of Audrey Cook, according to FOX 26. 

The charges stem from the infamous "Texas Killing Fields" murders, successful which the bodies of 30 women – including Audrey Cook, Laura Miller, Donna Prudhomme and Heidi Fye-Villareal – were recovered adjacent the intersection of Calder Road and Ervin Street successful League City betwixt 1984 and 1991. 

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James Dolphs Elmore Jr., 61, is charged with manslaughter and felony tampering with grounds successful the decease of Laura Miller, on with an further complaint of tampering with grounds successful the execution of Audrey Cook, according to the Galveston District Attorney’s Office. (Obtained by FOX 26)

For respective years, Texas authorities person worked to ace the lawsuit surrounding who is liable for the murders. 

In 2022, William Reece pleaded blameworthy to execution stemming from the deaths of Laura Smither, Kelli Cox and Jessica Cain, FOX 26 reported.

Over the past 40 years, authorities person pointed to Clyde Hedrick arsenic the premier fishy successful the murders of galore women successful Calder Road Field, according to the outlet. 

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The remains of Laura Miller were recovered successful an country on Calder Road, known arsenic the "Texas Killing Fields," successful February 1986. (FBI)

Hedrick was reportedly convicted of maltreatment of a corpse relating to the decease of Ellen Beason successful 1986.

Beason vanished astir the aforesaid clip arsenic Fye-Villareal and Miller, starring authorities to judge the disappearances were connected. 

In 2013, officials reopened the probe and Hedrick was indicted for Beason’s death.

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The assemblage of Audrey Lee Cook was recovered successful the "Texas Killing Fields" successful 1986. (FBI)

He was convicted of manslaughter 1 twelvemonth aboriginal and received the maximum condemnation of 20 years successful prison, but was released connected parole aft spending conscionable 8 years down bars, FOX 26 reported.

However, successful 2024, the Galveston County District Attorney’s bureau began reexamining the lawsuit arsenic portion of a renewed effort to bring justness for the astir 30 women recovered dormant successful the infamous "Texas Killing Fields."

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The probe led authorities to question expansive assemblage indictments against Hedrick for the deaths of Cook, Fye-Villareal, Miller and Prudhomme, on with further indictments against Elmore for alleged offenses stemming from the deaths of Miller and Cook. 

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Although Hedrick died earlier the charges could beryllium presented to a expansive jury, the indictment was inactive shown to support transparency and supply closure for the victims’ families.

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Shortly after, Elmore was indicted for his alleged relation successful the deaths of some Miller and Cook, FOX 26 reported. 

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Elmore was subsequently taken into custody and aboriginal denied enslaved Tuesday evening.

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The apprehension was made with the assistance of aggregate agencies, including the League City Police Department, Hitchcock Police Department, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and FBI. 

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The Galveston County District Attorney's Office did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital’s petition for comment.

Fox News Digital's Adriana James-Rodil contributed to this report.