Texas Cold Case Could Be Linked To Case In Oklahoma

A man charged with murder for an 18-year-old cold case in Oklahoma may now be connected to a mystery unfolding down in Texas.

Police and Texas Rangers are digging up a field in Southeast Houston, and news crews there say it may be connected to some other cold cases in the area.

Convicted felon William Reece, 56, is currently serving time in prison in Texas. Last September, he was charged in connection with the disappearance and death of Tiffany Johnston.

“In my lifetime I really don't figure I will see him prosecuted because he will fight coming to Oklahoma,” said Kathy Dobry, Tiffany Johnston’s mother.

Dobry spoke exclusively with News 9 back in September, the day murder and kidnapping charges came down on Reece.

9/21/15 Related Story: Texas Felon Charged In 18-Year-Old Murder Case In Oklahoma Co.

DNA linked Reece to the Johnston’s 1997 murder. Her body was found dumped on the side of the road near I-40, about 15 miles from where her car was found abandoned at a Bethany car wash. The scene back then is very reminiscent of what she is seeing take place in Houston this week.

“I feel that the parents down there need some type of closure so that they have a body that they can actually bury, rather than wondering if their child is still alive somewhere,” said Dobry.

Reece is currently serving a 60-year sentence for an aggravated kidnapping that happened in Houston in 1997, the same year Tiffany was kidnapped and murdered. But in the Texas case his victim survived.

“The lady jumped out of the pickup,” said Dobry, “And that's why he's in jail now.”

Now, the families of other cold case victims are closely watching what unfolds from the dig taking place in Southeast Houston.

News 9 was told multiple agencies are involved, but so far they aren't saying much about their progress. They are also not revealing the reason for the dig. They do say it’s an active investigation.

But Kathy has this message to the families in Houston.

“It'll give them some closure, but it won't give them total closure - because they're probably like me and say why did he do it to my daughter,” said Dobry.

Reece also spent time in an Oklahoma prison for kidnapping and rape back in 1987. He will be extradited to Oklahoma to face a trial for Johnston's murder sometime this year.