AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urgently seeking information regarding the 2013 murder of 51-year-old Lillian Desiree Descoteau, whose tragic death remains unsolved. The DPS has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for her death to $6,000, but only if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced.
On October 7, 2013, Descoteau’s partially nude body was discovered by two truck drivers near the FM 450 ramp onto IH-20, just south of Hallsville, Texas. The circumstances surrounding her death are harrowing; she had been sexually assaulted, beaten, and strangled. At the time of her discovery, Descoteau was only clothed in a light blue pullover, a white bra, and a shiny diamond stud earring in one ear.
Before her untimely death, Descoteau led a transient lifestyle, moving across various states including Alaska, Colorado, Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, and Louisiana. Her last known residence was in Irving, Texas, where she worked briefly as a commercial truck driver.
The Texas Crime Stoppers program, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, encourages the public to assist in solving cold cases by offering cash rewards. For cases like Descoteau's, tips can yield rewards of up to $6,000 if provided through the appropriate channels. This initiative aims to garner public interest in unsolved cases, and there are currently over 140 cold cases listed on the DPS website.
To be eligible for the cash reward, individuals must provide information to authorities using one of the following methods: they can either call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online through the designated link, ensuring they select “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case” in the type of crime and offense type sections.
The DPS has implemented a public awareness program where one case from the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation (Cold Case) Program is featured bi-monthly. This effort is designed to generate new investigative leads and bring attention to cold cases like that of Lillian Desiree Descoteau. The increased reward amount is only available if the tip is submitted before the next cold case is highlighted.
It is important to note that the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program was established to assist law enforcement agencies in investigating unsolved homicides or violent serial crimes. Since there is no statute of limitations on the offense of murder, investigators are committed to pursuing these cases until they reach a successful resolution or until no viable leads remain.
In light of the increased reward and the ongoing efforts to solve this case, the DPS is calling on the community to come forward with any information, no matter how small it may seem. Each tip could be crucial in helping to bring justice for Lillian Desiree Descoteau and her family.
The DPS continues to emphasize the importance of public involvement in solving cold cases, as community members often hold key information that can lead to breakthroughs in investigations. By offering financial incentives and highlighting these cases, the DPS hopes to encourage more individuals to step forward.
As the investigation into Descoteau's murder remains open, the Texas Department of Public Safety urges anyone with information to reach out. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death highlight the urgency of resolving this cold case, and the DPS is hopeful that increased public awareness will lead to new leads.
In summary, the DPS is actively seeking tips about the murder of Lillian Desiree Descoteau, with a reward of $6,000 available for information leading to an arrest. The community's support and vigilance are crucial in solving this case and ensuring that justice is served.
