Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2005

Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office launches 10th cold case investigation; unveils crime hotline

(McKinney, TX) – The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office has launched the investigation of its 10th cold case since Criminal District Attorney John Roach took office in 2003.

Thirty-five-year-old Betty Ingram of Copeville was strangled to death in her home on the morning of June 17th, 1987 as she was preparing to go to work. No arrest has been made in this case.

“Earlier this year, an officer who worked the case asked if we would be interested in re-opening it,” says Chief Investigator Novaline Varner. “We decided to accept the case and have since placed a billboard in Copeville seeking information.”

The criminal district attorney’s office is distributing fliers in Copeville, Farmersville, Nevada and Royse City seeking information about the case. Ms. Ingram’s parents are also offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

This would be the 10th cold case solved by the DA’s office since 2003. This is also the last cold case in the DA’s office.

In addition to this investigation, the DA’s office is launching a tip hotline. Persons are now able to report any crime in Collin County by calling 972-547-5477.

“People are more likely to call and provide a recorded message about a crime than they are to report one in person,” says Varner. “We will take this information and make certain that the appropriate law enforcement agency is notified.”

Ms. Varner is hoping that persons with information about Ms. Ingram’s death will use the hotline.

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