Edward Lee Persons Jr., a 30-year-old African American male, was tragically murdered on September 22, 1987, in Corsicana, Texas. The incident was part of a violent spree carried out by Howard Franklin Stewart, a 37-year-old man who had recently been fired from his job. Stewart's rampage began with the murder of his former boss, James Wade, followed by the killing of his estranged wife, Brenda, and her friend, Edward Persons Jr.
Stewart used a .22-caliber pistol to shoot Persons multiple times, resulting in his death.
The investigation into the murders revealed that Stewart had also confessed to killing three people in Missouri prior to the Texas shootings. Law enforcement officials were able to link the weapon used in the Texas murders to the earlier crimes in Missouri. Stewart's violent actions culminated in his own suicide, as he took his life with a .38-caliber revolver shortly after the killings.
The case was closed with Stewart being identified as the sole perpetrator of the murders. There were no additional arrests or suspects related to the death of Edward Persons Jr. The investigation concluded that Stewart's actions were driven by personal grievances and a history of violent behavior. The tragic events left a lasting impact on the community of Corsicana and the families of the victims.
