SAN ANTONIO – With about 2,000 cold cases being investigated within the San Antonio Police Department, dating back to 1950, some families have felt their cases have been forgotten.
Debra Seward lost her daughter, Grace Seward, eight years ago to a shooting after the shooter or shooters followed her and her friend home, and gunned them down in their driveway.
“I haven’t heard from an officer since 2023,” Seward said at the time of our interview with her in August. “I don’t know where the case stands. I have heard the detective on my case has retired or something but I’m not even sure who the new detective is anymore. I understand they may be busy, but at least having some kind of communication would make any parent feel better.”
Eashonne Wolford lost her daughter, Shanobea Wolford, and two sons, Charles Wolford and Eugene Hodge, five years ago after someone did a drive-by shooting on their home as they were gathering to eat for Thanksgiving.
“It’s not one, it’s not two, it is three people who got killed,” Wolford said. “A triple murder! People are always asking me, ‘Why is it taking them so long to figure out your case? There have been so many people before me that have gotten their justice! Since the day I got out of the hospital from being shot, they have given me the same response. During the years, they’d say, ‘Oh, he (the detective) is not in today.’ ‘I’ll get to it.’ ‘He is out on medical leave or family emergency.’ ‘He’s out.’ So who? Who is going to pick up my case? Y’all are just going to let it sit there and go cold? I have been in this storm for way too long, but I am not giving up on finding justice. I just know if it was the other way around, and I was investigating a family’s case…I would have been there, done that, and did that to make sure that family’s case was being worked on.”
After speaking with these families and understanding their frustrations with what they call the lack of communication with police, I wanted to do a sit-down interview with someone at the department who could answer their concerns directly.
I sent multiple emails explaining the purpose of why I felt having them respond in person was important, including providing some kind of transparency into how the department’s detectives handle cold cases and what standards they are to adhere to while serving their assigned families.
Unfortunately, after a back-and-forth across multiple days of emails to the department, I was rejected for an interview, which prompted my response below.
“Good evening, Unfortunately, I can’t say I’m not disappointed that this request is unable to be fulfilled. Is it the date and time that pose a problem? Because if so, I wouldn’t mind adjusting.
I just genuinely feel it’s important to give these families, and other grieving families stuck in a waiting period for justice, at least some kind response beyond a basic statement, even if it’s just a reminder of the difficult obstacles you may be up against with solving these cases. It would give them some kind hope that they are at least being thought about and not ignored or forgotten in their individual cases.
I look forward to your response.”
Fortunately, after that email, a spokesperson responded with an official statement:
“The San Antonio Police Department understands the frustration and devastation families experience when a loved one’s murder remains unsolved. Homicide detectives are committed to pursuing every possible lead, regardless of how much time has passed. There is no statute of limitations for murder, meaning the search for justice never stops. Even when detectives retire or are promoted, cases are reassigned to another detective to ensure they receive continued attention and a fresh set of eyes. Cold case detectives continually look for new leads and opportunities to move investigations forward. This may include applying modern investigative techniques, such as advanced DNA analysis, to evidence collected years ago, or locating witnesses who may not have been interviewed previously. Investigating cases after many years can be challenging as environments change, evidence deteriorates, and witnesses can become difficult to locate or may pass away.
There are currently more than 2,000 cold cases dating back to 1950. Detectives continuously and diligently review these cases, looking for new information or investigative opportunities. When significant new information becomes available, families are contacted. Families are always welcome to reach out to detectives for updates. However, these investigations can take years to resolve, and there may be periods when there are no new developments to report.
One of the most important ways the public can support a family’s search for justice is by speaking up and providing information. If anyone has information about a murder, regardless of how much time has passed or how minor one may think it is, that information could help propel a case forward and we urge them to call the Homicide Unit at 210-207-7635.
Although a case may be considered “cold,” it is never forgotten. Detectives continue to pursue leads and look for opportunities to bring answers and justice to victims and their families.”
SAPD
Since our interview with Seward ran on KSAT, she finally got a response from SAPD that her case had been reassigned to a new detective and that the detective is looking into new leads they may have discovered. Seward said the department also apologized for the limited communication over the years and that they’d be better.
At last check, there hasn’t been any new information regarding Seward’s or Wolford’s cases.
There are Crime Stoppers rewards in both cases, so if you know any information that can lead to an arrest after all of these years, you can call 210-224-STOP anonymously.
If you have a family member who was killed, are still searching for answers and would like to share your story, email me at jgray@ksat.com.
