On August 8, 2016, Ernest Woods, a 68-year-old male, was found deceased in his residence in Houston, Texas. The Houston Police Department Homicide Division responded to the incident and initiated an investigation into the death, treating it as a potential homicide due to signs of foul play. Officers arrived at the scene after receiving reports of suspicious activity and discovered Woods with injuries consistent with a violent encounter. He was declared dead shortly thereafter.
The investigation into Ernest Woods' death was challenging from the outset, with minimal witness cooperation and limited leads available to the investigators. The case eventually went cold, and it is now part of the many unsolved homicide cases being managed by Houston’s Cold Case Squad. This specialized unit within the Houston Police Department employs a methodical approach to cold cases, including re-examining forensic evidence and re-interviewing witnesses, in hopes of gathering new information that could lead to breakthroughs in long-unsolved cases.
Efforts to resolve the case include collaborations between different divisions within the Houston Police Department and other agencies, such as the FBI, to make use of broader resources and expertise. The authorities have made public appeals for any information related to the death of Ernest Woods, encouraging anyone who might know something about the crime to come forward and assist in solving the case. The Houston Police Department and Crime Stoppers continue to offer avenues for anonymous tips that may bring new leads in the investigation.
