A group of criminology students helped police solve a 34-year-old Texas murder case, leading to the arrest last month of a 63-year-old woman.
The victim, 25-year-old Cynthia Gonzalez, went missing on September 17, 1991, after leaving home to meet a "client." She worked in adult entertainment. Her car was found abandoned hours later, and her body was discovered five days later on a Johnson County property with multiple gunshot wounds.
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The case went cold until last fall, when students from the University of Texas at Arlington's criminology and criminal justice department reviewed nearly 500 case files as part of a partnership with police. With no dedicated cold case unit, their input proved crucial.
The students found Gonzalez and suspect Janie Perkins, now 63, were friends who had the same romantic interest. Weeks before the murder, that person broke up with Perkins to be with Gonzalez.
Perkins had no alibi, failed two voluntary lie detector tests, told investigators she was glad Gonzalez was dead and admitted considering killing her. Yet she was not charged. In 2024, detectives reviewed the case but cited no new evidence.
Victim Gonzalez(left) and suspect Janie Perkins
Guided by the students, officers re-examined witness statements and evidence, finding a witness said Perkins admitted involvement with details matching evidence. Police arrested Perkins in Azle on November 6 and charged her with murder.
Arlington Police Chief Al Jones called the collaboration's success "like getting struck by lightning." The victim's daughter, Jessica Roberts, who was six at the time, thanked the students, saying she was shocked and grateful.
The students are now assisting with another cold case review.
