AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking public assistance in solving the 1981 murder of Karen Lynn Douglas, a 22-year-old mother found stabbed to death in her Harris County home. In an effort to generate leads, the reward for information leading to an arrest has been increased to $6,000 if a tip is submitted before the next Texas Rangers cold case is featured.
On January 6, 1981, Douglas’ mother discovered her body after arriving to pick her up for a doctor’s appointment. Evidence indicated a struggle had occurred before Douglas was fatally stabbed. At the time of her death, Douglas’ infant child was in the home, and her husband was at work. She was last seen alive approximately two hours before her body was found.
Investigators have noted similarities between Douglas’ murder and a series of unsolved home invasions in the area, where women were attacked with a knife while home alone. These crimes are believed to have been committed by a young, slender white male, though it remains unclear if there is a direct connection to Douglas’ case.
Karen Lynn Douglas, the victim in a Cold Case Murder Investigation from 1981
(Credit: Texas Department of Public Safety)
How to Submit Tips
Anyone with information about this case is urged to come forward. Tips can be submitted through the following methods:
- Crime Stoppers Hotline: Call 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or the Crime Stoppers of Houston hotline at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
- Online: Submit a web tip through the Texas Rangers Cold Case website. Select the victim’s name to provide information.
- Missing Persons Hotline: Call 1-800-346-3243, and your tip will be forwarded to the assigned Texas Ranger investigator.
All submissions are anonymous, and tipsters will be assigned a tip number for reference.
The Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program highlights a featured case every two months as part of a public awareness campaign. Rewards for these featured cases are temporarily increased to up to $6,000 to encourage information sharing. The program, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, supports local law enforcement by providing additional resources to investigate unsolved homicides and violent serial crimes.
Since there is no statute of limitations on murder, investigators remain committed to pursuing justice in Karen Lynn Douglas’ case and others like it.
![LPD described the man as a white male wearing a black hoodie with the words "Make Money Not Friends" in white lettering, black pants, a black mask, and black shoes.](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_compact_extra_large/public/2025-01/screenshot2025-01-13at12645pm.jpeg?h=7b531faf&itok=Nh-ju_Ef "LPD described the man as a white male wearing a black hoodie with the words "Make Money Not Friends" in white lettering, black pants, a black mask, and black shoes.")
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