NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas A breakthrough in a 2007 North Richland Hills cold case could mean peace and long-awaited justice for the family of 68-year-old Marianne Wilkinson.<\/p>\n
For the very first time, police have developed a DNA profile for the crime which means they can test and run it through various databases for a possible match.<\/p>\n
On Dec. 9, 2007, Marianne and her husband Don were watching the Dallas Cowboys rout the Detroit Lions in their North Richland Hills home.<\/p>\n
But around 8 p.m., Marianne answered her door and was killed. Police say she was shot at least three times.<\/p>\n
Her husband, who was still in the home, frantically called the police.<\/p>\n
\"My wife has just been shot,\" Don said over the phone to 911. \"Somebody rang the doorbell and then shot her. I need some help quick.\"<\/p>\n
Detectives have always believed that the gunfire at Marianne's door was not meant for her. The 68-year-old was beloved and had no enemies.<\/p>\n
Her son Mike Wilkinson and his wife Terri don't forget that night, especially over the holidays.<\/p>\n
\"You always live with it, and it changes you forever,\" Mike said. \"You know there's no rationality for going to someone's door and shooting them no matter who they are.\"<\/p>\n
The hardest part to come to grips with is that no arrests have been made for 12 years.<\/p>\n
Police have looked at three persons of interest, however. Their names are Dennis Taylor, Vincent Lane, and Willie Boley.<\/p>\n
Per our partners at theFort Worth Star-Telegram in 2013, \"Taylors wife lived in a home with the same address number on a parallel cul-de-sac a block away from the Wilkinson home. She and Taylor were going through a divorce at the time of Wilkinsons death.\"<\/p>\n
Marianne Wilkinson was murdered on December 9, 2007 as she answered her front door.<\/p>\n
Boley was believed to be an employee of Taylor's.<\/p>\n
However, Boley was killed in Oklahoma City in 2013 following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
The girlfriend told police that Boley had been beating her and then she shot him.<\/p>\n
Since the killing, the gun that was used to commit the crime has been found and a partial fingerprint was lifted from one of the casings at the scene.<\/p>\n
DNA was also collected, but for years Mike and his wife Terri have watched the case receive very little traction.<\/p>\n
\"There's still this loss that's there,\" Mike said. \"Mom was a lot of fun, mom was one who knew how to love and appreciate.\"<\/p>\n
\"That's the difficult part is waiting.\"<\/p>\n
Mike's wife Terri echoed a similar feeling.<\/p>\n
\"I just think about all the things she has missed,\" Terri said. \"Everything joyful has the stab of sorrow because she's missing it.\"<\/p>\n
North Richland Hills recently revisited the Wilkinson case after the family encouraged them to.<\/p>\n
DNA collected from the scene that was once little to no help was re-examined and with technological advancements, a new DNA profile was created for a possible suspect.<\/p>\n
The good news is that law enforcement can use that profile to search through multiple law enforcement databases for a match.<\/p>\n
So far, however, no positive hits just yet.<\/p>\n
For Mike and his family, it's a huge piece to a puzzle they've been trying to put together for years.<\/p>\n
\"We're very grateful and very hopeful that it will turn into something,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I just want to see justice,\" Terri followed up.<\/p>\n
Photo of Wilkinson (center) with her family.<\/p>\n
WILKINSON FAMILY <\/p>\n
Inside the Wilkinson's home is a number of things that belonged to Marianne.<\/p>\n
Handmade ornaments are on the tree, Christmas figurines are in the kitchen, and paintings that were once Marianne's are on the walls.<\/p>\n
Terri said they bring her family comfort and remind them of the memories they had with the 68-year-old.<\/p>\n
As they surrounded the living room, the Wilkinsons said all they can do now is wait.<\/p>\n
Something they've gotten good at over the years.<\/p>\n
\"I would feel rested and it doesn't seem right to not have justice on this side of the grave,\" Terri said.<\/p>\n
If you know anything about the person who is responsible for the death of Marianne Wilkinson, call the North Richland Hills Police Department.<\/p>\n
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\nFor the first time, a DNA profile has been created for 2007 cold case murder involving 68-year-old woman - WFAA.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"