TEXAS (KAUZ) – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking information in the 1997 murder of 22-year-old Brent Alan Gutheinz.
DPS shred that on June 22, 1997, Gutheinz’s body was found burned and mutilated along Squirrel Creek between Van Alstyne and Sherman.
The University of Texas – Dallas senior lived in Richardson and was last seen running errands and going to the gym on June 19, according to DPS records.
In the months before his murder, DPS said Gutheinz, a full-time student, had amassed a significant amount of debt purchasing several big-ticket items, including new vehicles and electronics, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Gutheinz’s family told investigators that his stress about the debt had increased significantly just before his death.
While several witnesses in Gutheinz’s case have been interviewed and provided information over the years, DPS said no arrests have been made. Now, nearly three decades later, the Grayson Co. Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are exploring further forensic testing as they are actively investigating his case.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for his murder is now increased to $6,000 if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced. Anyone with information is asked to please come forward.
To be eligible for cash rewards for this case, tipsters must provide information to authorities using one of these two methods:
Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).Submit a tip online through this link only and select “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case” in the type of crime and offense type sections.
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