New evidence found in 29-year-old cold case

Michelle Gaitan | San Angelo

SAN ANGELO — New information has emerged in a 29-year-old cold case surrounding the double homicide of San Angelo teens Sally McNelly and Shane Stewart.

Evidence was collected June 12 during a search of a home belonging to John Cyrus Gilbreath, 47, of San Angelo.

Texas Ranger Nick Hanna, along with Tom Green County Sheriff's Office deputies and other law enforcement officers, searched Gilbreath’s home while “attempting to locate ledgers used in the criminal offense of narcotics trafficking,” and found items they said link Gilbreath to the couple, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Personal writings “specific to the criminal offense of murder” that included the names of McNelly and Stewart were found, along with three audio tapes with "SS" written on them.

The affidavit also stated Gilbreath was in possession of “biological substances including but not limited to hair; blood; fingernails and other biological substances that constitute potential evidence of a double homicide, which occurred in Tom Green County, Texas, on or about July 4, 1988.”

The affidavit identifies Gilbreath as a person of interest in the double homicide.

THE BACKGROUND

The skeletal remains of McNelly and Stewart — who went missing while attending a fireworks display at Lake Nasworthy on July 4 — were found days apart in November 1988 near Twin Buttes Reservoir.

Autopsies revealed both died of gunshot wounds.

A lake ranger discovered Stewart’s abandoned 1980 Chevrolet Camaro on July 5, parked near O.C. Fisher Reservoir, several miles from Lake Nasworthy.

It wasn’t until 1994 that DNA was recovered from evidence near Stewart's abandoned Camaro, but a match was not found in a nationwide DNA system.

The case has remained an active investigation throughout the years, involving multiple local and state agencies.

Three days after Gilbreath’s arrest, the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office announced the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit had been called to assist in the case.

The FBI unit aids law enforcement agencies across the country and around the world through investigative analysis, which can be used to assist investigators by offering investigative suggestions, interview strategies, search warrant assistance and expert testimony, according to the FBI.

TRAFFIC STOP

Gilbreath was arrested June 12 during a traffic stop and on suspicion of possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful possession of metal or body armor by a felon.

The first charge is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to 2 years confinement and a fine up to $10,000. The latter two charges are third-degree felonies punishable by two to 100 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

A passenger in the vehicle during the traffic stop told police Gilbreath kept ledgers and scales in his home and that he travels to Austin to pick up large amounts of marijuana to distribute throughout Tom Green County.

During a vehicle search, a deputy found about half a pound of marijuana in a reusable grocery bag inside of a black backpack; a loaded .38 caliber handgun in a black lockbox with ammunition and a camouflaged protective vest or body armor in the trunk. A large plastic bag containing several smaller plastic bags also was found.

The passenger, Dorothy Sylliaasen, 41, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a dangerous drug and possession of marijuana.

Warrants were obtained to search Gilbreath’s residence on the northeast side of San Angelo using the information from Sylliaasen.

Gilbreath was released from county jail June 19. His bail was set at $175,000.

RELATED STORIES:

• May 2010: Unsolved murder haunts father, investigators

• July 2013: Kin, officials seek answers in double homicide

• May 2014: DNA evidence eyed in 1988 slayings

• July 2014: Clues to a 1988 double homicide come as anniversary approaches

• June 15, 2017: Special FBI Unit joins cold case investigation