In early 1986, Austin, Texas was grappling with rising crime, particularly around the condemned Booker T. Washington housing project on the east side, which had become a haven for drugs and violence due to bureaucratic neglect. Amid this, Ruth Case—a beloved nurse, student, wife, and mother of two—vanished after attending a class at Austin Community College’s Ridgeview campus nearby. Her disappearance shocked the community, especially after her car was found untouched and no immediate leads emerged. Weeks later, her purse surfaced in a nearby wooded area, and soon after, her raped and murdered body was discovered in a vacant, unlocked unit within the housing project—one supposedly searched by police earlier. The failure of that search drew criticism and led to procedural reforms, while Ruth’s tragic death underscored the urgent need to address the dangerous conditions in the area. Although several suspects were considered, no one was ever charged, and the case eventually went cold. Today, Ruth’s family continues to mourn.

If you have any information about the murder of Ruth Helene Case, please contact the Austin police Department Homicide Tip line at 512-477-3588.

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The Austin American-Statesman was used as a source for this episode. 

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