In the days leading up to Christmas in 2011, a tragedy unfolded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that would leave a family heartbroken and a community searching for answers. Peggy Lee Gaytan, a 55-year-old woman, was working her shift at a Shell gas station located at 36th Street and Harvard Avenue. On December 22nd, just three days before Christmas, two men entered the convenience store with the intent to commit a robbery.
During the commission of the crime, one of the suspects tragically shot and killed Peggy. The incident, captured on surveillance video, showed two individuals running into the gas station moments before the fatal shot was fired.
For years, the case remained cold, a painful open wound for Peggy's loved ones and the Tulsa community. Investigators diligently followed leads, with the investigation even extending to Colorado at one point. Despite their efforts, a significant breakthrough wouldn't come for nearly a decade. The memory of Peggy, a hardworking individual providing for her family, was kept alive by those who knew her and by the detectives who refused to give up on finding her killer. Friends and family would gather for vigils, honoring her memory and holding out hope for justice.
In a significant development in May 2020, the Tulsa Police Department announced a major break in the long-unsolved case. They arrested 27-year-old Patrick Hamstard, charging him with Peggy's murder. Police officials stated they believed a second suspect involved in the robbery and murder had died in the intervening years. The arrest brought a wave of relief and a sense of impending closure to Peggy's family.
However, the path to justice took an unexpected and heart-wrenching turn. In September 2020, the charges against Patrick Hamstard were dropped. The Tulsa County District Attorney's office reported that a key witness in the case had refused to testify, leaving them unable to proceed with the prosecution at that time. This setback was a devastating blow to the family and all who had been seeking justice for Peggy for so long. While the arrest had offered a glimmer of hope, the dismissal of charges meant that, for now, the case remains without a resolution. Peggy Gaytan's murder is once again considered an unsolved crime, and her family continues to wait for the day when those responsible will be held accountable.
