On the cold night of February 1, 1982, in Monroe, Louisiana, 16-year-old Sherry Lynn Alford, a student at Ouachita Parish High School, was driving home from her boyfriend's house. What should have been a routine drive turned into a tragedy that has haunted the community for decades. Just before midnight, Sherry's white Ford EXP was found stopped in the northbound lane of Highway 139.
Her body was discovered lying near the vehicle.
An investigation revealed that Sherry had been shot twice with a handgun. The initial shot, fired from a distance, shattered the driver's side window, striking her in the left wrist and lower lip. Evidence suggests this first shot was fired approximately three-tenths of a mile before her car came to a final stop. The impact stopped her watch at 11:57 p.m. It is believed that as she was attempting to flee her vehicle, the assailant fired the second and fatal shot to her head. An automatic shell casing was recovered at the scene, and investigators believe the suspect was standing in or near the middle of the road.
For years, Sherry Lynn Alford's case has remained unsolved, leaving her family and the community searching for answers. Her murder is one of three unsolved killings of young women in Monroe between 1980 and 1982, leading to speculation of a possible serial killer. The other victims were Angie Hill and Kathy Whorton. Law enforcement agencies, including the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, continue to investigate these cold cases, hoping that advancements in technology and new information will finally lead to a breakthrough.
Despite the passage of time, there have been no arrests, and no suspects have been officially named in connection with Sherry Lynn Alford's murder. The case remains an open and active investigation. Community members and victims' advocacy groups periodically bring attention to these unsolved cases in the hope of generating new leads that could bring a resolution to the decades-long mystery and provide closure for the families of the victims.
