More than 50 years after Carla Walker was murdered near Benbrook Lake, her name could soon help other families searching for answers.
The Carla Walker Act, authored by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, would provide about $40 million in federal grants for forensic genetic genealogy, the same DNA technology that helped Fort Worth police finally identify Walker’s killer decades after her 1974 murder. The bill passed the Senate in June and has been introduced in the House.
For Carla’s brother, Jim Walker, the legislation has become part of a larger mission. After Glen McCurley pleaded guilty to his sister’s murder in 2021, Walker committed himself to helping other cold case families and encouraging them not to give up.
“There is no closure,” Walker told the Star-Telegram. The empty seat, he said, remains at holidays, birthdays and family gatherings. His message to other families is to keep fighting and “be the voice for your loved ones.”
Walker believes wider access to forensic genetic genealogy could finally put names to unknown suspects, identify victims and even help clear people who were wrongly convicted.
“Don’t give up, don’t lose faith,” he said. “This bill is going to make a difference.”
Read Harriet Ramos’ full story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Join the Conversation
Join the discussion. Log in or create a free account to share your thoughts.