Texas Rangers Identify Woman Found Shot to Death in Hamilton County 43 Years Ago Using DNA Technology

HAMILTON COUNTY, Texas – More than four decades after ranchers discovered a woman’s skeletal remains along a rural Central Texas highway, investigators have finally identified her as Betty Jo Norris, a 44-year-old woman who disappeared in the early 1980s.

The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy helped Texas Rangers identify Norris nearly 43 years after her remains were discovered in Hamilton County.

Although investigators have established her identity, the person responsible for her murder remains unknown.

The case began Sept. 1, 1983, when ranchers working cattle along Highway 36 in rural Hamilton County discovered human skeletal remains surrounded by women’s clothing.

Investigators determined the woman had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head and that her body had been left at the location several months before it was discovered.

Among the items recovered were brown knee-length boots, a blue-and-white polka-dot blouse, stretch blue jeans and a Timex watch with a brown leather wristband.

Investigators also found bobby pins and two barrettes decorated with orange roses.

Despite efforts by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers, authorities were unable to identify the woman.

Investigators distributed statewide announcements and forensic facial reconstructions in hopes that someone would recognize her.

DNA testing conducted over the years, including testing as recently as 2005, also failed to produce answers.

With no significant leads, the investigation eventually became a cold case.

New DNA Testing Leads Investigators to Victim’s Family

In January 2024, the Texas Rangers reopened efforts to identify the woman, working with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Hamilton County Communications Office.

Investigators reexamined evidence and submitted items to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory in Waco for updated forensic testing.

In early 2025, laboratory personnel extracted an unidentified male DNA sample from the victim’s clothing.

However, the sample was too degraded to produce a usable DNA profile.

The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification also attempted to develop a profile, but the sample did not meet the requirements for a database search.

Investigators then turned to the Texas Rangers’ Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, a federally funded program that provides resources for investigating unsolved sexual assaults and potentially related homicides.

Through the initiative, Norris’ remains were submitted to BODE Technologies for advanced DNA analysis and genetic genealogy research.

The effort produced a breakthrough in July 2026.

Researchers identified potential relatives of the unidentified woman living in Brazos and Bell counties.

Texas Rangers interviewed several family members, who directed investigators to a man living in Belton.

The man told investigators that his mother, Betty Jo Norris, had disappeared in the early 1980s.

Rangers traveled to Belton and obtained a DNA sample from the man, now in his 60s.

On Aug. 20, 2026, laboratory testing confirmed that the unidentified woman found along Highway 36 in 1983 was his mother.

After nearly 43 years, Norris finally had her name back.

Murder Investigation Remains Open

The identification marks a significant development in the decades-old investigation, but authorities have not identified a suspect or determined who killed Norris.

The Texas Rangers and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office continue investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Authorities have not disclosed where Norris was last seen before her disappearance or whether investigators have identified any persons of interest.

The Texas Department of Public Safety credited the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Communications Office, DPS Crime Laboratory, University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, U.S. Department of Justice and BODE Technologies for their work on the case.

Anyone with information about the disappearance or murder of Betty Jo Norris is encouraged to contact the Hamilton County Communications Office at 254-386-3300.