A cold homicide case in Irving has been reopened due to advancements in DNA evidence, prompting the Irving Police Department to seek assistance from the community. Many longtime residents still recall the tragic crime involving Patricia Anne Garcia, who was murdered on April 29, 1988.
The incident occurred around 9:00 PM at the postal annex in the Plymouth Park shopping center located on Story Road, north of Irving Blvd. At the time of her death, Garcia was only 22 years old. She had been employed at Allstate Insurance and left behind a husband and a young daughter.
The Irving Police Department is urging anyone with potential information about the case to come forward. Detective Hilton can be reached at 972-721-2754 or via email at thilton@cityofirving.org. Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted to ipdcrimetips@cityofirving.org.
Recent advancements in DNA technology have significantly enhanced the ability to analyze aged, degraded, or otherwise compromised biological evidence, allowing previously unsuitable crime scene samples to yield usable DNA profiles. This technology may also provide clarity on samples that generated inconclusive results in the past.
As the investigation unfolds, the Irving Police Department hopes to bring closure to this decades-old case and provide answers to Garcia's family.
