Unsolved Murder Victim’s Father Commits Suicide Outside Texas Sheriff’s Office

Jerry Harris, father to Jennifer Harris, the victim of a disturbing and unsolved homicide case over 20 years old, took his own life in the parking lot just outside of the Fannin County Sheriff's Office last Tuesday morning around 9:30 am.

Harris left a few notes detailing the reasons he chose to commit suicide and assured local authorities it had nothing to do with the unsolved murder of his daughter.

Jennifer Harris' nude body washed up in the Red River back in 2002, six days after she reportedly went missing. Investigators discovered Jennifer's uterus had shockingly been removed. Her tragic death was ruled a homicide, but no one was ever charged due to an utter lack of evidence.

Jerry Harris wrote three suicide notes, one of which was addressed to Mark Johnson, the current Sheriff of Fannin County. In the note, he explained he had grown tired of fighting health issues and that the location of his suicide, the parking lot just outside of the sheriff's office, was chosen by Harris to "make it easier for first responders." He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

There is currently talk of bringing Jennifer's homicide case back out to let a few pairs of fresh eyes have a go at it. Fannin County now has a newly elected sheriff, district attorney, and district judge, and there have also been major developments in modern technology that could help find her killer.

Jerry Harris spent 22 years hoping for answers and searching for his daughter's killer with private investigators. Unfortunately, he was not able to witness any justice before his death.

KXII wrote an optimistic closing statement to this devastating story in an article published on June 5th that read,

"Those close to the case are still determined to find answers."

If you have information regarding the murder of Jennifer Harris, contact the Fannin County Sheriff's Office.