Grand Jury Indicted Baltimore Man in 1986 Cold Case
A grand jury has charged a 67-year-old man with murder and rape in connection to a cold case from nearly four decades ago.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Sex Crimes
David Alexander Williams has been indicted for the 1986 murder and rape of 23-year-old Teresa Ann Houck in Baltimore. The cold case resolution follows a DNA match identified in 2025.
Why it matters
The indictment represents a significant development in a nearly 40-year-old homicide investigation that remained unsolved for decades. It underscores how modern forensic DNA technology can identify suspects in historical cases long after the crime occurred.
A grand jury officially indicted David Alexander Williams on charges including murder, rape, and handgun use. The investigation remains active following the suspect's arrest in July 2026.
The players
David Alexander Williams
He is the 67-year-old man recently indicted on charges of murder, rape, and handgun use in a cold case.
Teresa Ann Houck
She was a 23-year-old dancer at the Pussycat Club who was found dead in 1986.
The details
Teresa Ann Houck, who worked as a dancer at the Pussycat Club, was found dead in Druid Hill Park in October 1986 with multiple gunshot wounds. Forensic scientists identified sperm from the autopsy in 2005, which eventually led to a CODIS hit matching the 67-year-old defendant.
Timeline
The victim's body was discovered in Druid Hill Park in October 1986.
Scientists successfully identified sperm from the original 1986 autopsy in May 2005.
A CODIS match identified the suspect on September 18, 2025.
Authorities arrested the suspect in July 2026.
The State's Attorney confirmed the grand jury indictment on October 13, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows the standard procedural framework established by the national CODIS DNA database protocols for solving cold cases. The successful identification of the suspect demonstrates the impact of long-term forensic preservation on modern criminal investigations.
The indictment marks the conclusion of a 40-year-old investigation that had long left a local park crime unsolved. The development provides a sense of resolution for the public regarding a high-profile historical homicide.
The takeaway
This case highlights the enduring power of forensic evidence to provide justice decades after a crime occurs. Residents can note that authorities continue to utilize database advancements to clear long-dormant case files.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the region, visit the Sex Crimes section.
