Suspect Charged in 1985 Murder Case

October 5 , 2009 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the murder of a woman at 4011 Old Galveston Road #123 in September 1985.

The suspect, Race F. Burdine (w/m, DOB: 1-7-67), is charged with murder in the 185th State District Court. He is accused in the killing of Lillian Gertrude Nash, 66, of the above address. Ms. Nash suffered multiple stab wounds and died at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. K. Peters reported:

Patrol officers responded to a check on welfare call at 4011 Old Galveston Road #123 and found Ms. Nash deceased in her bed. A preliminary investigation determined the suspect entered Nash’s apartment through the window and stabbed her as she slept. The initial 1985 investigation did not develop Burdine as a suspect, however his name was developed as a person of interest as someone Nash had trouble with at the apartment complex.

The case was reviewed again in 2009 and, through cooperation and funding from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and the National Institute of Justice, evidence collected at the scene was processed and DNA evidence was developed. It was put into a nationwide database and developed a match for Burdine, who is a registered sex offender out of Illinois. A warrant was issued and Burdine was taken into custody by the State Attorney’s Office in Macon County, Illinois. Burdine’s extradition to Houston is pending.

VHS/JFC
Inc. #065281285

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 .