Unsolved Homicide in Weatherford, Texas: A 41-Year-Old Mystery
Forty-one years after two teenagers were killed near Lake Weatherford, the questions haven’t faded, they’ve only grown louder. Who killed them? And why is key information still sealed from the public?
The 1983 killings of 14-year-old Shelly Colliflower and 16-year-old Vincent Tijerina remain one of Parker County’s most troubling unsolved homicides.
Four decades later, the double homicide continues to cast a shadow over Weatherford. Residents say decades of silence have deepened frustration and eroded trust in local authorities.
An anonymous reader asked Curious Texas: I, and many others, are curious why the 1983 double murder of Shelly Colliflower, 14, and Vincent Tijerina, 16, in Weatherford, Texas, has never been solved and why questions about the investigations remain. More than 40 years later, many believe now is the time for answers.
The Incident
Shelly and Vincent left together on March 25th, 1983 to get something to drink, Colliflower’s mother said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News. They never returned.
Their bodies were found on a parking lot of the abandoned Weatherford High School early next morning, on March 26th, according to relatives “on the corner of Cleburne Ave & Tin Top Rd”. No arrests were ever made, and investigative records have remained sealed for 41 years.
A Timeline Full of Gaps
Little has been publicly released about the early stages of the investigation. The teens were last seen walking near the lake, according to The News archives.
Officials have never disclosed the cause of death, what physical evidence was collected or whether any suspects were formally identified or interviewed, according to family members.
Four months after the killings, community members organized an auction to raise reward money in hopes of encouraging tips. But no arrests followed, archives show.
Community members have long circulated the name of a potential suspect. Law enforcement never publicly identified that person as a suspect, however, and The News is not publishing the name because authorities have not confirmed it.
The News submitted a public records request to the Weatherford Police Department for investigative documents. The department said it is still processing the request.
Questions About Missed Opportunities
The lack of documentation has left some community members to question whether potential leads were fully investigated, whether evidence was lost and whether outside pressures influenced early decisions.
In 1983, many Texas counties lacked access to forensic tools now considered standard. DNA testing was not yet available, and evidence-collection procedures varied widely.
Family of the teens and those who have been following the case say that, if physical evidence such as clothing, blood, fingerprints, hair or fibers were preserved, modern testing could still provide answers.
Calls for Transparency Grow Louder
Members of a Facebook group titled “Justice for Michelle (Shelly) Colliflower / Vincent Tijerina” and family members are urging Weatherford police to:
- Release original offense and supplemental reports.
- Disclose any interviews conducted.
- Provide a full investigative timeline.
- Submit all preserved evidence for forensic testing.
Push for DNA Testing
Lori Cates, a community member following the case since 2022, told The News that a Texas Ranger officer who was involved in the case informed her that DNA evidence was entered into CODIS, the FBI’s national database.
Private investigator Mel Mitchell, a friend of Shelly’s family, said she has repeatedly requested updates from federal authorities on that DNA.
“This is one of the biggest cases I have taken because this could go to a lot of different places,” she said. “I went to the police to try to work with them and help them in the case, but they refused.”
Mitchell works for Blackfish Intelligence. She said she met Shelly’s father years ago while bartending at a local establishment and learned about the family’s long fight for answers.
“I just thought it was sad for him to give up on answers,” she said.
Families Still Seeking Answers
Relatives of the victims say they have received no updates other than that the case remains open.
The families said they have filed multiple requests for information, including the status of DNA entered into CODIS, but have received no response.
Surviving relatives have spoken publicly throughout the years, saying the lack of answers has prolonged their suffering.
Johnnie Nitcholas, Shelly’s mother, said rumors about the case have added to the family’s distress.
“People keep saying she was on a ‘date,’ which she wasn’t,” Nitcholas told The News. “They were just supposed to get something to drink. That’s it. She was 14 years old.”
Nitcholas described Shelly as active and social. She said her daughter loved horseback riding and spent much of her free time with a close friend.
She urged anyone with information — even a small detail — to come forward.
“What if it was your child?” she said. “So, please, I beg you, if you know one single tiny thing, even if you don’t think it’s important, please come forward. You can call me.”
Blackfish Intelligence has set up an anonymous tip line, 1-800-403-8024, and a dedicated email address, tips@blackfishintel.com, for anyone who would like to come forward.
Conclusion
The 1983 double homicide of Shelly Colliflower and Vincent Tijerina remains a mystery that continues to haunt the community of Weatherford, Texas. Despite the passage of time, the families of the victims and the community are still seeking answers and justice. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement and the need for continued efforts to solve cold cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the case:
Q: What happened to Shelly Colliflower and Vincent Tijerina?
A: Shelly Colliflower, 14, and Vincent Tijerina, 16, were found dead on March 26, 1983, in a parking lot of the abandoned Weatherford High School in Weatherford, Texas.
Q: Have there been any arrests in the case?
A: No, there have been no arrests in the case.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The case remains open, and the Weatherford Police Department is still investigating.
Q: How can I provide information about the case?
A: You can contact the Weatherford Police Department or Blackfish Intelligence at 1-800-403-8024 or tips@blackfishintel.com.
