In a remarkable development, a 42-year-old cold case involving the tragic double homicide of Gordon and Karen Alexander has taken a significant step toward resolution. On April 7, 1981, this heinous crime shook the Texarkana community, leaving many unanswered questions and years of pain and uncertainty for the victims’ friends and family.
Gordon and Karen Alexander’s lives were tragically cut short, and their case has long remained a mystery. Despite decades of investigative work by the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department (TAPD), the case eventually went cold. But the unyielding determination of one retired police officer, Captain Calvin Seward, led to a reexamination of the case, which has now brought about a breakthrough.
The Alexander family, residents of 501 Baden on College Hill in Texarkana, Arkansas, was forever changed on that fateful day. Weldon Alexander, the father, reported the incident to the police when he arrived home from his night shift at Cooper Tire on the morning of April 8, 1981. Weldon discovered his son deceased in the kitchen and his daughter suffering from severe injuries in the living room. The investigation, conducted by officers Terry Spearman and Bobby Thomason, revealed that the children had been brutally attacked.
For years, TAPD detectives tirelessly searched for answers, even traveling to interview the infamous Henry Lee Lucas, who had confessed to numerous unsolved homicides. However, Lucas was not charged due to a lack of sufficient forensic, physical, or circumstantial evidence. DNA testing eventually revealed that Lucas had lied in many of his confessions, including the Alexander case.
It was not until 2022 that Captain Calvin Seward, who had since retired from the police force, decided to take another look at the case that had haunted him for over four decades. He was given full autonomy to reopen the investigation and began to reexamine evidence, re-interview witnesses, and employ the latest advancements in DNA technology.
Captain Seward collaborated with Dr. Todd Steffy, a renowned forensic criminologist with over 30 years of experience, and Kelli Dixon, a DNA scientist at the Arkansas State Crime Lab. Together, they reprocessed various pieces of evidence and submitted new DNA profiles to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Their relentless efforts paid off. The team extracted DNA from both victims’ fingernail tissue, which ultimately revealed that Weldon Alexander’s semen had been found on Karen Alexander’s bedding. These findings led to a theory that the children were assaulted before their father, Weldon Alexander, left for work on the night of the crime. Furthermore, no foreign “outside intruder” DNA was discovered, and trace evidence contained materials commonly used in tire construction, aligning with the victims’ father’s employment at Cooper Tire.
With a compelling body of physical evidence, Captain Seward and Dr. Steffy prepared a Statement of Probable Cause Affidavit naming Weldon Alexander as a probable suspect in the murders of Gordon and Karen Alexander. Miller County Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell, after a thorough review of the evidence, has asserted that Weldon Alexander is the sole, viable suspect in the case and believes that probable cause exists for the issuance of an arrest warrant for two counts of Capital Murder.
Tragically, Weldon Alexander passed away in 2014. However, this breakthrough in the case has provided a measure of closure and justice for the friends and remaining family of Gordon and Karen Alexander, who have long sought answers and resolution.
The Texarkana community extends its heartfelt appreciation to Captain Calvin Seward, Dr. Todd Steffy, Kelli Dixon, and all those who contributed to this diligent and tireless investigation. It serves as a testament to the unwavering pursuit of justice, even when many years have passed since the heinous crime occurred.
In a remarkable development, a 42-year-old cold case involving the tragic double homicide of Gordon and Karen Alexander has taken a significant step toward resolution. On April 7, 1981, this heinous crime shook the Texarkana community, leaving many unanswered questions and years of pain and uncertainty for the victims’ friends and family.
Gordon and Karen Alexander’s lives were tragically cut short, and their case has long remained a mystery. Despite decades of investigative work by the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department (TAPD), the case eventually went cold. But the unyielding determination of one retired police officer, Captain Calvin Seward, led to a reexamination of the case, which has now brought about a breakthrough.
The Alexander family, residents of 501 Baden on College Hill in Texarkana, Arkansas, was forever changed on that fateful day. Weldon Alexander, the father, reported the incident to the police when he arrived home from his night shift at Cooper Tire on the morning of April 8, 1981. Weldon discovered his son deceased in the kitchen and his daughter suffering from severe injuries in the living room. The investigation, conducted by officers Terry Spearman and Bobby Thomason, revealed that the children had been brutally attacked.
For years, TAPD detectives tirelessly searched for answers, even traveling to interview the infamous Henry Lee Lucas, who had confessed to numerous unsolved homicides. However, Lucas was not charged due to a lack of sufficient forensic, physical, or circumstantial evidence. DNA testing eventually revealed that Lucas had lied in many of his confessions, including the Alexander case.
It was not until 2022 that Captain Calvin Seward, who had since retired from the police force, decided to take another look at the case that had haunted him for over four decades. He was given full autonomy to reopen the investigation and began to reexamine evidence, re-interview witnesses, and employ the latest advancements in DNA technology.
Captain Seward collaborated with Dr. Todd Steffy, a renowned forensic criminologist with over 30 years of experience, and Kelli Dixon, a DNA scientist at the Arkansas State Crime Lab. Together, they reprocessed various pieces of evidence and submitted new DNA profiles to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Their relentless efforts paid off. The team extracted DNA from both victims’ fingernail tissue, which ultimately revealed that Weldon Alexander’s semen had been found on Karen Alexander’s bedding. These findings led to a theory that the children were assaulted before their father, Weldon Alexander, left for work on the night of the crime. Furthermore, no foreign “outside intruder” DNA was discovered, and trace evidence contained materials commonly used in tire construction, aligning with the victims’ father’s employment at Cooper Tire.
With a compelling body of physical evidence, Captain Seward and Dr. Steffy prepared a Statement of Probable Cause Affidavit naming Weldon Alexander as a probable suspect in the murders of Gordon and Karen Alexander. Miller County Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell, after a thorough review of the evidence, has asserted that Weldon Alexander is the sole, viable suspect in the case and believes that probable cause exists for the issuance of an arrest warrant for two counts of Capital Murder.
Tragically, Weldon Alexander passed away in 2014. However, this breakthrough in the case has provided a measure of closure and justice for the friends and remaining family of Gordon and Karen Alexander, who have long sought answers and resolution.
The Texarkana community extends its heartfelt appreciation to Captain Calvin Seward, Dr. Todd Steffy, Kelli Dixon, and all those who contributed to this diligent and tireless investigation. It serves as a testament to the unwavering pursuit of justice, even when many years have passed since the heinous crime occurred.
L to R, Miller County Prosecuter Connie Mitchell, Dr. Todd Steffy, Captain Calvin Seward, TAPD Chief Michael Kramm.
After more than 40 years with commercial broadcasting, I decided to do my own thing by blogging, and taking "unconsultant" gigs. It affords me the ability to stay super involved in the community, but still, have plenty of time with my 3 granddaughters and other projects.
