Man Charged in 1986 Cold Case Murder
Baltimore authorities have charged David Alexander Williams with the 1986 murder of Teresa Ann Houck.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Authorities have charged David Alexander Williams in connection to the 1986 murder of Teresa Ann Houck. Her body was discovered in Druid Hill Park after she left the Pussycat Club in Baltimore.
Why it matters
The identification of Williams follows advancements in forensic technology that allowed investigators to match cold case autopsy evidence to a contemporary DNA profile.
The Baltimore Police Department Crime Lab confirmed a DNA match between evidence from the 1986 autopsy and the defendant, David Alexander Williams. Williams remains charged as officials continue the judicial process.
The players
David Alexander Williams
He is the individual charged by authorities in connection with the 1986 murder of Teresa Ann Houck.
Teresa Ann Houck
She was the 23-year-old victim whose murder remained unsolved for nearly four decades.
Baltimore Police Department
The agency responsible for investigating local crimes and utilizing forensic labs to resolve cold cases.
Maryland State Police
The law enforcement agency that facilitated the connection between the DNA evidence and the suspect.
The details
Teresa Ann Houck was 23 years old when she was found dead in Druid Hill Park on October 22, 1986, following her departure from the Pussycat Club at 2 a.m. Investigators determined she died from multiple gunshot wounds to her head, neck, and chest, later finding her vehicle near Baltimore and Holiday streets.
Timeline
October 22, 1986: Teresa Ann Houck was found dead in Druid Hill Park.
2005: Scientists developed a male DNA profile from autopsy evidence.
July 2025: David Alexander Williams had his DNA collected.
September 2025: Maryland State Police notified Baltimore police of the DNA match.
May 2026: Investigators collected additional DNA from Williams.
Legal Context
This arrest follows the pattern set by utilizing CODIS DNA database matching to successfully close cold cases. Similar forensic methods have become the standard for addressing decades-old violent crimes in Baltimore and across the nation.
The resolution of this case may provide long-awaited information to the public regarding the safety of Druid Hill Park in the 1980s. Residents can monitor local court dockets for information on upcoming hearings related to the prosecution of this murder.
The takeaway
The successful identification of a suspect decades later highlights the critical role of preserving forensic evidence for future scientific analysis. Cold cases often reach closure when investigative technology finally catches up to physical evidence collected at the original scene.
Further reading
Find more updates on ongoing investigations in the Sex Crimes section.
