Stamford Murder Marked Among Top 12 Cold Cases by Texas Rangers
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: February 20, 2013
Out of the countless faces of unsolved cases, for this couple, one stands out among the rest.
"I still to this day find it hard to believe it happened," said Candy Clayton.
It's of their daughter, seven year-old Cortney Clayton who was kidnapped back in 1988 just a block from her home in Stamford.
Police eventually found her body hundreds of miles away, yet the killer was never caught.
"It would make it a lot easier on us if we had the final of knowing who did it and that person brought to justice," said Stan Clayton, Cortney's father.
Now there's another reminder about the unsolved case.
A website launched by Texas state troopers that strictly focuses on cold cases like Cortney's.
Hers is among the top 12.
"You'd be surprised, people remember that and remembering that they'll call us and they'll say, 'I heard this and I heard that'," said Stan Clayton.
Even two decades later, its a mystery that's still talked about in Stamford.
"Going to grand papa's house and seeing this little girl that I don't know and I've never seen before but she looks like me," said Bethany Clayton.
Cortney would be Bethany's aunt.
She's started a project at school to remind people that something like this can happen anywhere.
"It's just important for people to know where their kids are at all times because it can happen, even in a small community like Stamford it can happen," said Bethany.
Even though the Clayton's have moved on...
"You still would like to have an ending to it," said Candy.
Cortney's image is one they will never forget, as they continue to look for answers as to why she was taken away from them.
They're hoping the website will help remind people that the case hasn't yet been closed.
"I still to this day find it hard to believe it happened," said Candy Clayton.
It's of their daughter, seven year-old Cortney Clayton who was kidnapped back in 1988 just a block from her home in Stamford.
Police eventually found her body hundreds of miles away, yet the killer was never caught.
"It would make it a lot easier on us if we had the final of knowing who did it and that person brought to justice," said Stan Clayton, Cortney's father.
Now there's another reminder about the unsolved case.
A website launched by Texas state troopers that strictly focuses on cold cases like Cortney's.
Hers is among the top 12.
"You'd be surprised, people remember that and remembering that they'll call us and they'll say, 'I heard this and I heard that'," said Stan Clayton.
Even two decades later, its a mystery that's still talked about in Stamford.
"Going to grand papa's house and seeing this little girl that I don't know and I've never seen before but she looks like me," said Bethany Clayton.
Cortney would be Bethany's aunt.
She's started a project at school to remind people that something like this can happen anywhere.
"It's just important for people to know where their kids are at all times because it can happen, even in a small community like Stamford it can happen," said Bethany.
Even though the Clayton's have moved on...
"You still would like to have an ending to it," said Candy.
Cortney's image is one they will never forget, as they continue to look for answers as to why she was taken away from them.
They're hoping the website will help remind people that the case hasn't yet been closed.
Comments
they need to retest evidence with today's technology
Melinda P.
February 21, 2013 at 4:41 am
