A father who devoted 22 years of his life for searching for the person who killed his daughter, reportedly took his own life outside of a Sheriff's office.
Jerry Harris, a 76-year-old man who dedicated over two decades to finding his daughter's murderer, is reported to have taken his own life on Tuesday, according to KXII.
Harris, a Vietnam War veteran and former US Marine, was reportedly found in a parking lot in Bonham, Texas, having succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Harris's relentless pursuit of justice began in May 2002, when his 28-year-old daughter, Jennifer Harris, went missing.
Her green Jeep was discovered abandoned by the roadside, and six days later, fishermen found her unclothed and decomposing body in the Red River.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed her death was a homicide, but despite extensive efforts, authorities never identified the perpetrator.
For 22 years, Jerry Harris lived with the unresolved pain of his daughter's murder. His determination to find Jennifer's killer never wavered, but the weight of his unfulfilled mission took a severe toll.
On the day of his reported death, Harris is said to have left behind three notes, one addressed to Sheriff Johnson, explaining his decision was due to health issues and not connected to his daughter's case.
He chose the sheriff's office location to facilitate the response for first responders.
An online obituary for Harris reads: "Jerry carried his warm and sincere outlook on life which he shared willingly with people. He was indeed a true southern gentle man."
Jim Holloway, a private investigator involved in the case, expressed hope that the investigation might gain renewed attention with new leadership in Fannin County.
Reflecting on Harris's enduring grief, Holloway told KXII: “I just remember him being so sad and broken down over this that he just didn’t know who to turn to. He was just bewildered, eaten up with sadness and sorrow. He told me one time, he said, ‘I hope they do solve it before I die.’”
New sheriff-elect Cody Shook has pledged to revisit cold cases using modern technology. “All families deserve closure regarding their loved ones,” Shook told KXII. “And I look forward to having access to the cases and seeing if there are any investigative options that can be applied.”
The case of Jennifer Harris garnered national attention in 2018 through CBS's 48 Hours. The program highlighted the ongoing investigation and the mishandling of evidence that hindered progress.
Despite persistent efforts, former Sheriff Mark Johnson admitted in 2022 that there still wasn't enough evidence to charge anyone.
“There’s not anything to directly connect someone to that murder," Johnson said. “We all have our suspicions and beliefs about who it is, but without facts, you can’t say, 'you’re the one.’”
Our thoughts are with the Harris family at this difficult time.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
.jpg_rTQRJz?tr=h-184)
.webp_CTqPbY?tr=h-184)