The Houston Police Department Homicide Cold Case Unit was formed in 2004. It consists of one lieutenant, two sergeants, two officers, one civilian employee, and three retired officers.
Cases are reviewed which are inactive, pending further information. Cases are also reviewed upon inquiry by a relative of the complainant, from an outside agency, from another investigator, or as directed by a supervisor.
Cases are then researched to see if leads exist, if processing evidence with advanced technology may produce workable leads, or additional review or investigation is warranted. If the cases are found to have information to work, it is then assigned to an investigator, who then works the case.
FEATURED CASE
Case #: 80866 Victim: Christina Cunningham Location: 2979 Rolido # 356
Houston, TX Date:October 26, 1977
Synopsis:
On October 26, 1977, complainant Christina Cunningham, a 29yr old white female, was found in her apartment sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times. She was found by her husband who came home from work. The Cunninghams were originally from England but were living in the United States temporarily due to her husband’s work.
According to witnesses, the complainant was getting ready for a job interview but found that her vehicle needed a jump. The battery was dead in the vehicle. She first called the apartment office but no one had jumper cables. One of the employees suggested that she call a local gas station and have one of their wrecker drivers come out to the location. Cunningham called and a wrecker driver came out to the location.
Charles Bender, the wrecker driver, stated that he jumped started Cunningham’s vehicle and he followed her to her apartment. He said he waited outside the front door of the apartment and that he never went inside when Cunningham went to go get a check for the payment. Bender stated he received the check and left the apartment complex and went back to work. Bender was the last person to have seen the complainant alive.
Approximately 4:30 p.m., Larry Cunningham, came home from work and found his wife dead on the kitchen floor. She was sexually assaulted and sustained multiple stab wounds.
Larry Cunningham has moved back to England. Christina’s family is waiting for any new information or leads on this unsolved case.
