Elizabeth Barclay was seven years old when she was murdered. Her body was found on the side of the road in Van Zandt County, Texas, more than 40 years ago, and the person responsible for her death has yet to be brought to justice.
On the evening of Oct. 23, 1979, Elizabeth, who was wearing white shorts and a red, white, and blue halter top, went to a neighborhood store with her 3-year-old brother and a male friend, 5, to buy ice cream.
As they were walking down a street near the area of 2900 West Northwest Highway, KHOU-11 reported that “a dark-colored vehicle with a trunk lid that wouldn’t close all the way” stopped beside them.
A husky African-American male, believed to be between the ages of 30 and 35 at the time, exited the vehicle and purportedly exposed himself to the children before he grabbed Elizabeth.
He struck her several times and threatened to “throw her in the water” as he carried her back to his vehicle.
The man drove off, leaving the boys unscathed.
When the children reported the abduction to the adults, the police were notified, and a search for the first grader commenced.
At the time Elizabeth was kidnapped, she lived in an apartment in northeast Dallas with her mother, who was questioned by police.
Police Sgt. D.N. James stated that they have “questioned her thoroughly, and we’re satisfied the abduction has nothing whatsoever to do with any relationship she has with people.”
Elizabeth’s family offered a $5,000 reward for her safe return and also helped the police search surrounding areas, including lakes, creeks, alleyways, and gravel pits, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Four days after Elizabeth was kidnapped, a man fitting the description of the suspect was arrested on an outstanding traffic ticket. Police held him at the county jail for questioning, but according to the Kilgore News Herald, Sgt. John Adamcik stated that the “chances are very slim that he will be the suspect.”
“He’s just another one of many people that fit the general description of the kidnapper and drive an automobile that may generally fit the description.”
Another man was arrested at a phone booth for calling the police and asking for $10,000 in exchange for Elizabeth’s safe return, but apparently he too had nothing to do with her abduction.
Nearly two months later, on Dec. 20, 1979, Elizabeth was found dead on her birthday; she would have been 8 years old.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that farm workers were hauling hay in the Hiram-Willis Point Road area when they discovered her decomposed body in a ditch, just 45 miles east of Dallas.
Also found at the scene were two .45-caliber cartridges, which were in close proximity to the body, police said.
Some of her bones were found scattered across the roadway. One of the farmers believed that animals may have been clawing at it sometime that day, as it wasn’t there the day before.
Homicide Lt. B.G. Maroney stated that before the remains were identified through dental records as those of Elizabeth, they had already suspected that it was her.
Maroney said “clothing at the scene… were worn by Elizabeth when she was abducted.”
Following an autopsy, medical examiners ruled Elizabeth’s death a homicide; however, they have yet to divulge the exact cause of the death.
According to a report from the Austin American-Statesmen in 1979, the decedent’s father said, “This is just not fair. Why such a beautiful, loving girl should have to end her life this way, scared and away from the family that loves her?”
“It’s also not fair since the man who did this is still out there. We have tried all the time not to think bad of him. But now I have nothing but hate for him.”
Throughout the years, investigators have worked diligently to find the person who killed Elizabeth.
They rummaged through the files of known sex offenders, but they were unable to connect anyone to the crime, and ultimately, her case turned cold.
Anyone with information regarding the unsolved murder of Elizabeth Barclay is encouraged to contact the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is offering a reward of up to $6,000 for information leading to an arrest.