Cold Case Cracked: Arrest Made in 17-Year-Old Murder Mystery
After nearly two decades, justice may finally be served in the case of 43-year-old Bethal Ann Rawls, who was brutally beaten, stabbed, and strangled in her apartment. Anthony Darrell Lankford, a Houston man, was recently arrested and charged with her murder.
Sgt. Michael Burrow, the investigator who played a key role in cracking the case, revealed that Lankford was surprised by his sudden arrest after so many years. Rawls’ body was discovered by a relative in her apartment near the Sam Houston Tollway in southwest Houston back in 2007.
Despite several persons of interest being investigated at the time, DNA evidence had previously eliminated them. However, in January, Sgt. Burrow decided to revisit the case and focused on Lankford, who was the last person known to have spoken to Rawls before her tragic death.
Following up on phone records, investigators collected Lankford’s DNA sample in February, which ultimately led to a match with the evidence from the crime scene. The heinous nature of the crime prompted a judge to set Lankford’s bond at $700,000.
Reflecting on the breakthrough, Sgt. Burrow emphasized the importance of never losing hope in cold cases. He encouraged families of victims to remain resilient, as there is always a chance for justice to prevail, even after many years.
While authorities have not disclosed a motive for the murder, it was revealed that both Lankford and Rawls were acquainted and worked together at Memorial Hermann Southwest.
Rawls’ family expressed relief and closure upon hearing about Lankford’s arrest, underscoring the significance of perseverance and dedication in solving long-standing mysteries.