The murder of Carla Jan Walker
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas · 1974
Overview
Carla Jan Walker, 17, was abducted on February 17, 1974 from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Worth, Texas, and her body was found in a culvert near Benbrook Lake three days later. The case stayed cold for 46 years until DNA from her clothing was analyzed by the forensic lab Othram, which used forensic-grade genome sequencing and genetic genealogy to identify Glen Samuel McCurley. McCurley was charged in September 2020, pleaded guilty in August 2021, was sentenced to life without parole, and died in a Texas prison in July 2023.
How it was solved
Decades-old evidence from Carla Walker's bra was first sent to the Serological Research Institute (SERI), which developed a male DNA profile that was then forwarded to Othram, a Houston-area laboratory that uses a technology called forensic-grade genome sequencing (FGGS) on degraded samples. Othram built a usable profile and, by comparing it against genealogical databases to identify relatives, provided detectives with the unknown male's surname, which a follow-up investigation narrowed to 77-year-old Glen Samuel McCurley. Police then collected discarded DNA and a confirmatory cheek swab from McCurley that matched the crime-scene profile.
Sources
- Murder of Carla Walker
“Leads from Othram and a follow-up investigation by Detectives Wagner and Bennett led to the identification of 77-year old Glen Samuel McCurley as a suspect”
- McCurley v. State
“sent to Othram, a laboratory in Houston that uses a new type of DNA-analysis technology called forensic-grade genomic sequencing (FGGS). Othram used the FGGS technology to provide detectives with the surname of the unknown male”
- Glen McCurley Changes Plea to Guilty in Carla Walker Murder Trial
“About 8:40 a.m., 78-year-old Glen Samuel McCurley entered Judge Elizabeth Beach's Tarrant County courtroom, was sworn in, and soon after changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.”
- Carla Walker's murder went unsolved for 46 years
“Three days later, Carla's body was discovered in a culvert near Benbrook Lake.”
- Texas Teen Carla Walker Abducted, Killed By Glen McCurley
“With the help of Othram Labs were able to build out a full DNA profile using a sample found on Carla's bra strap and identified the family surname of the killer using genetic genealogy.”
- Suspect Arrested in 1974 Cold Case Murder of Carla Walker
“after 46 years, five months and three days, we have a name, a face and are working toward a complete resolution.”
- Carla Walker's murderer died in prison
“Glen McCurley, 80, died of natural causes while serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.”
- Carla Walker (citing Texas Monthly reporting)
“On July 4, 2020, Mittelman called Bennett: 'We've connected the DNA to a particular family tree. The last name is McCurley.'”
- Cornyn, Welch Introduce the Carla Walker Act to Help Solve Cold Cases
“her killer was finally identified and brought to justice thanks to advanced FGG DNA analysis. I'm proud to introduce this legislation in Carla Walker's honor.”
- Glen McCurley Changes Plea to Guilty in Carla Walker Cold Case Murder Trial
“Judge Elizabeth Beach sentenced McCurley to life in prison.”