A 30-year-old Vidor police cold case found new life June 3 as VPD and Crime Stoppers announced a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the murderer responsible for slaying a young mother of two.
“On March 14, 1991, a very heinous crime was committed in our community, and it cost the life of Kathy Page,” said VPD Chief Rod Carroll at a press conference announcing the award. “Kathy was not just a daughter, she was a wife, a sister, and, most importantly, a mother of two girls.”
An individual claiming to have knowledge of the incident actually called Carroll to arrange a meeting to share information he wishes he would have shared 30 years ago.
“I feel comfortable telling you I received my first phone call from someone who wants to come forward with information from 30 years ago and I have a meeting with that individual in the next week or so,” he said.
Carroll told reporters investigators believe there are individuals in the community who know what happened, and anyone with information leading to the arrest and indictment of any individuals involved in Kathy’s murder would be rewarded with Crime Stoppers’ largest reward ever offered. With three decades having passed since the murder took place, Carroll believes someone has heard critical information yet to reach investigators.
“The individual (or individuals, as he’d later divulge) staged a car accident and placed Kathy Page inside that vehicle,” Carroll shared. “Responding officers very quickly realized light damage to the vehicle that would not cause a death. The autopsy results show that she had been strangled.”
Page’s father James Fulton, now 90, told reporters he didn’t think the case would ever be solved and hopes his $50,000 offer can entice someone to come forward with information that would give his family closure. In an effort to inform the public and shame those who he believes “botched” the investigation, Fulton launched a billboard campaign that carries on today, telling reporters he’d keep the signs up until he dies.
“This is something we’ve taken seriously for many years,” Carroll said. “We believe someone in our community has the information we need to bring this case across the finish line and bring it to prosecution.”