Father who spent 22 years searching for daughter's killer commits suicide in front of sheriff's office

A Texas father who spent much of his life searching for answers about the 2002 murder of his 28-year-old daughter has killed himself in front of the sheriff's office.

Jerry Harris, a 76-year-old Navy and Vietnam veteran, killed himself in the parking lot of the Fannin County Sheriff's Office in Bonham around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, authorities told local media. KXII. In a letter he left behind, Harris explained that his suicide was unrelated to his daughter's murder case, the outlet reported.

Harris had spent the previous 22 years hoping for justice after the murder of his daughter, Jennifer Harris, 28.

Jennifer was last seen alive on May 12, 2002, with her green Jeep abandoned along the road. Six days later, his naked and badly decomposed body was found floating in the Red River by fishermen, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The cause of his death was ruled a homicide, but the case has remained unsolved since.

Jim Holloway, a private investigator who worked on the case, told KXII he hopes the murder will get a new look now that the county has a new sheriff, a new district judge and a new prosecutor.

“I just remember him being so sad and broken about it that he just didn't know where to turn,” Holloway said of Harris. “He was just perplexed, it was consumed with sadness and grief.”

Cody Shook, who became Fannin County's newly elected sheriff after last month's primary runoff election, said in a statement that all of the department's cold cases would be reviewed again now that modern technology is more widely available. available.

“All families deserve closure regarding their loved ones, and I look forward to having access to the records and seeing if there are investigative options that can be pursued,” Shook said.

The case of Jennifer Harris was never forgotten in the small community and even found national recognition when CBS 48 hours covered the murder in 2018.

The program says Sheriff Mark Johnson promised to continue the investigation into the murder of Harris' eldest daughter, but the case was stalled by mishandling of evidence.

“I think he really wants to solve this case,” Harris said at the time.

Before Jennifer's body was found, Harris said 48 hours that he “slept about three or four hours a night… spent the rest of my time… searching, traveling country roads… looking for buzzards.”

“That’s what I did…until they found her,” he added.

After the program aired, Harris said he was grateful the program was able to shine a light on his case.

“It hasn’t gotten easier over the years, but I’ve gotten to a point where I can handle it a lot better,” Harris said. KXII.

As of 2022, Sheriff Johnson said there is still not enough evidence to convict anyone for Jennifer's death.

“There is nothing that directly connects anyone to this murder,” Johnson said. “We all have our suspicions and beliefs about who this person is, but without facts you can't say, 'You're the one.'

Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for Jennifer's murder, its website states.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to The Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK & ROI), email [email protected] or visit THE Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you live in the United States and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can call www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.