The resolution of the 1983 KFC murders in East Texas marks a significant moment in a case that has haunted both the community and the nation for decades. The identification of Devan Riggs as the third perpetrator through advanced DNA testing and genealogical analysis unveils a grim chapter in true crime history. However, this brings no closure, as Riggs passed away over a decade ago.
The horror of this crime unfolded on the morning of September 24, 1983. Five victims were discovered on a remote oil lease in Rusk County. Those victims, including 39-year-old Opie Hughes and 37-year-old Mary Tyler, were abducted from a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kilgore during an armed robbery. The brutality of their killings—execution-style, with each individual shot in the back of the head—captured national attention. Tragically, Hughes was also sexually assaulted. Law enforcement officials described the crimes in ways that echoed the shock and outrage felt by many: abandoning all humanity, these acts reflect the darkest corners of criminal behavior.
For many years, the case remained unsolved, lingering like a dark cloud over the community. The investigation turned a corner in 2007 and 2008, when two men, Romeo Pinkerton and Darnell Hartsfield, were convicted based on DNA evidence collected from the scene. However, one critical piece of DNA did not match either man, leading authorities to suspect a third perpetrator. The resolve to find this individual did not waver, but decades of stagnation followed as leads grew cold.
In recent years, advancements in forensic technology offered a glimmer of hope. The Texas Rangers revisited the case as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, a program aimed at solving unresolved sexual assaults and homicides. When DNA evidence was sent to Bode Technologies in July 2024, the analysis pointed to DNA from three brothers from East Texas, eventually narrowing down to Riggs. This breakthrough highlights how modern techniques can breathe life into cases long thought unsolvable.
Despite the final identification, Riggs’ death means no arrests or prosecutions will take place, leaving some questions unanswered and an unsettling conclusion to a story that began with violence and fear. The closure may lie more in historical record than in justice served, but for many in Rusk County, the case’s resolution provides a sort of full circle—tying together a tragic narrative that began over 40 years ago.
The impact of this crime still resonates today. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of technological advancement in law enforcement and the relentless pursuit of answers, even when time has dimmed the hope of resolution. This case is not just a testament to the tenacity of investigators but also an acknowledgment of the lives lost and the communities forever changed by violence.
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