Texas officials seek public's help in 1980 Christmas Day murder case

DPS asks for information on the killings of a mother and son found near White Oak Bayou

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Texas Department of Public Safety is appealing to the public for assistance in solving the 1980 Christmas Day murder of a mother and son found strangled near Houston's White Oak Bayou. The cold case remains unsolved after over 40 years.

Why it matters

Unsolved murders from decades ago can still impact families and communities, and new leads or information from the public could potentially help bring closure and justice. This case has remained open for over four decades, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in cracking older homicide investigations.

The details

On December 25, 1980, the bodies of a woman and her young son were discovered near Houston's White Oak Bayou. Authorities determined they had been strangled. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, no arrests were ever made, and the identities of the victims were not immediately known. The case went cold for decades until recent advancements in forensic technology allowed investigators to determine the victims were Carolyn Delores Jansen, 26, and her 5-year-old son Damon.

  • The murders occurred on Christmas Day, 1980.
  • The victims' bodies were discovered near White Oak Bayou in Houston.
  • The case went unsolved for over 40 years until recent forensic breakthroughs.

The players

Texas Department of Public Safety

The state law enforcement agency that is now appealing to the public for help in solving this decades-old double homicide.

Carolyn Delores Jansen

A 26-year-old woman who was one of the victims found strangled near White Oak Bayou in 1980.

Damon

Carolyn Jansen's 5-year-old son who was also found murdered alongside his mother in 1980.

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What’s next

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the 1980 murders of Carolyn Jansen and her son Damon to come forward and contact the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The takeaway

This tragic double homicide from 1980 remains unsolved after over four decades, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in cracking older cold cases. New forensic technology has helped identify the victims, but investigators are still searching for the perpetrator and any leads from the public could be crucial to finally solving this long-standing mystery.