unsolved homicide: ruth helene case
Victim: Ruth Helene Case, White female, DOB: 12/16/55
Date: January 15, 1986
Cause of Death: Stabbing
Ruth Helene Case was a 30-year-old female. Case was described as a good mother and a good wife. She was also described as reliable and punctual. She was employed by Holy Cross Hospital part-time and worked from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. She was also a full-time student at ACC and attended classes at the Ridgeview Campus.
Allan Case, her husband, reported her missing on January 15, 1986 after she failed to pick up their two daughters from school as planned. Her car was found parked in the 2900 block of Glen Oak Street. This would have been less than 100 yards from her last class. Foul play was immediately suspected. Case was last seen alive leaving her chemistry lab class at 11:50 a.m. on January 15th. A search, both aerial and ground, was conducted.
On March 21, 1986, officers were summoned to 3402 Whitley, which is located in the Booker T. Washington housing project. Once there, officers met with a housing authority supervisor. He had discovered a decomposing human body, which was mostly skeletal remains. The remains were identified as Ruth Case.
At the time the skeletal remains were discovered, most of the Booker T. Washington projects had been condemned. It was obvious that 3402 Whitley had been vacant from some time.
Homicide investigators are asking anyone with information concerning this case to please call the APD homicide tip line at (512) 477-3588 or the Homicide Detail at (512) 974-5210. The Homicide Detail can also be contacted by e-mail at homicide@ci.austin.tx.us
