Irving Police Seek Answers in 1984 Murder of 23-Year-Old Man Found Shot Near Trinity View Park

IRVING, Texas - More than 42 years after a 23-year-old man was found shot to death along South Wildwood Drive in Irving, detectives are asking the public for help solving his murder and locating surviving family members.

On Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, the Irving Police Department renewed its appeal for information in the unsolved killing of William Emmett Groff, whose body was discovered May 27, 1984, near railroad tracks east of Loop 12.

Investigators believe Groff was killed somewhere else before his body was left beside the roadway.

"The years may pass, but our commitment to finding answers never fades," the Irving Police Department said in a statement announcing its renewed cold case efforts.

Driver Discovered Body Along South Wildwood Drive in 1984

According to the original case information, a witness was driving along S. Wildwood Drive on May 27, 1984, when they spotted a body approximately three feet off the roadway.

The location was about 380 feet south of the railroad tracks, east of Loop 12 and near what is now the Trinity View Park area.

Police identified the victim as William Emmett Groff, a 23-year-old man who had been shot to death.

Investigators determined that Groff likely died at another location before his body was transported and left along South Wildwood Drive.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, and police have not publicly identified a suspect or established a motive.

Questions Surface About Victim's First Name

The renewed attention to the case has also raised questions about the victim's identity.

Although the Irving Police Department's cold case information identifies him as William Emmett Groff, individuals claiming to have attended school with the victim have suggested that his first name was actually Warren, rather than William.

According to those individuals, they have contacted the detective assigned to the case to share that information.

An online genealogical record lists a Warren Emmett Groff born May 29, 1960, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with parents identified as Cyrus A. Groff and Elizabeth T. Groff.

If the birth information belongs to the murder victim, he would have been just two days away from his 24th birthday when his body was discovered.

However, there has been no official confirmation that Warren Emmett Groff and the victim identified by Irving police as William Emmett Groff are the same person.

The information is being shared as a possible lead that could help former classmates, relatives or acquaintances recognize the victim and contact investigators.

Police Release Victim's Physical Description

According to the cold case information, Groff was described as follows:

Irving Police Partner With SolveTheCase.org to Renew Cold Case Investigations

The Irving Police Department is working with SolveTheCase.org to bring renewed attention to unsolved investigations and make cold case information more accessible to the public.

Police hope that sharing details about Groff's death will encourage someone who knew him or remembers the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and murder to come forward.

Detectives are also seeking information that could help locate surviving members of Groff's family.

Even information that seemed insignificant at the time could provide investigators with a new lead more than four decades later.

How to Submit Information About the 1984 Murder

Anyone with information about Groff's death, his identity or surviving relatives is encouraged to contact the Irving Police Department's Cold Case Unit.

Detective Burkleo, Irving Police Cold Case Unit

• Case No. 1984-43 | William Emmett Groff
• 972-721-3576
• kburkleo@irvingtx.gov