After tirelessly working on a cold case for about a year during his spare time between assigned cases, Detective Thomas Shaddix of the Texarkana Police Department has finally made a significant breakthrough. His relentless efforts have led to the identification of a suspect in the murder of 19-year-old John Neal, whose lifeless body was found on March 28, 2018, inside a burnt-out car in the 4200 block of Findley Street.
When John Neal's family reported him missing after he failed to return home following a planned meeting, law enforcement officials were confronted with a challenging and puzzling case. With minimal leads and evidence to work with, the investigation initially hit a dead end, leaving the grieving family with no answers.
However, Detective Shaddix refused to give up on the case and continued to delve into it in his own time, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to bringing closure to John Neal's loved ones. His tenacity ultimately paid off, as he approached the investigation with a fresh perspective and was able to unearth crucial information and evidence pointing directly to the perpetrator.
The breakthrough came when Detective Shaddix found a vital missing piece of the puzzle, allowing the entire investigation to fall into place. The evidence led him to 28-year-old Darren King, whom he identified as the prime suspect in John Neal's murder.
The grim details of the case revealed that John Neal had been shot multiple times before his assailant attempted to destroy any physical evidence by setting the car on fire. The crime scene presented a challenging task for investigators, but Detective Shaddix's diligence and determination ultimately triumphed, leading to the identification of the perpetrator.
Darren King has an extensive and troubling history of criminal activity within Bowie County, marked by a series of serious offenses.
The Texarkana Police Department expressed their gratitude and admiration for Detective Shaddix's dedication and hard work in bringing the murderer to justice. The breakthrough in this case is expected to provide some measure of closure to John Neal's family, who have been mourning his loss for years.
