Missing daughter of couple killed in 1981 found alive more than 40 years later

The missing daughter of a couple whose bodies were discovered in Texas in 1981 has been found alive more than four decades later.

The office of Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, wrote in a news release that the deceased individuals, Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr, were found in a wooded area in Houston, Texas.

The Florida couple were apparent victims of homicide but it wasn't until 2021 that through the use of genetic genealogy, Identifinders International was able to "positively" identify them.

The families of Linn and Clouse had been searching for answers concerning the couple's daughter, Baby Holly, who authorities say was not found among the remains of her parents.

After more than 40 years, Holly, now 42 years of age, has been located alive and well. Authorities notified Holly about the identity of her biological parents and she has been in contact with her extended biological family.

Watch Texas' first assistant attorney general's press conference:  

Brent Webster, Texas's first assistant attorney general, said in a press conference that the couple's family members had not heard from Linn and Clouse since October 1980.

Webster revealed that Holly was left at a church in Arizona. Two women who identified themselves as members of a nomadic religious group brought the infant daughter to that church.

The family that found and raised the infant are not suspects in the murder of her biological parents, Webster added.

Holly has reunited with some of her biological family and her grandmother, Donna Casasanta, said in a statement that finding her was "a birthday present from heaven," since she was found on her father's birthday.

"I prayed for more than 40 years for answers and the Lord has revealed some of it," Casasanta said. "I prayed for them day after day and that they would find Holly and she would be alright."

The Texas Attorney General commended the Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit in a statement, saying that the investigation demonstrates the importance of working in the department.

"I am extremely proud of the exceptional work done by my office's newly formed Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit," Paxton said. "My office diligently worked across state lines to uncover the mystery surrounding Holly's disappearance."

The first assistant attorney general said that details about Holly's whereabouts for the last 40 years will not be disclosed out of respect for Holly and her family.

The investigation into the murders of Holly's biological parents Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr. is ongoing.

The Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit urge that if anyone has any information about their deaths, contact them at [email protected].

Featured image credit: david a eastley / Alamy.