Texas Rangers Seek Leads in 1997 Murder of College Student

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Nearly 30 years after the brutal murder of 22-year-old Brent Alan Gutheinz, a college student whose burned and mutilated body was discovered near Sherman, Texas in 1997, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Grayson County Sheriff's Office have reopened the cold case and are asking the public for any information that could help identify the killer.

Why it matters

This unsolved murder has haunted the community for decades, with no arrests made despite witnesses coming forward over the years. Authorities are hoping that advances in forensic technology and a renewed public appeal will finally bring justice for Gutheinz's family and closure for the community.

The details

Gutheinz, a senior at the University of Texas-Dallas who lived in nearby Richardson, was last seen on June 19, 1997 running errands and visiting the gym. His burned and mutilated body was discovered three days later on June 22 near Sherman. Over the years, witnesses have provided information, but police were never able to make any arrests. The Texas Rangers and Grayson County Sheriff's Office have now reopened the case for forensic testing with modern technology.

• Brent Alan Gutheinz was last seen on June 19, 1997.
• His body was discovered on June 22, 1997 near Sherman, Texas.
• The case has remained unsolved for nearly 30 years.

What’s next

The Texas Rangers and Grayson County Sheriff's Office are asking the public to come forward with any information related to the 1997 murder of Brent Alan Gutheinz. A $6,000 reward is being offered for tips that could help identify the killer.