The Deck Podcast: Episode Summary – Debra Sue Moore (Jack of Clubs, Texas)
Host: audiochuck
Release Date: January 1, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Deck, host audiochuck delves into the cold case of Debra Sue Moore, a young mother brutally murdered in Odessa, Texas, in the spring of 1986. Utilizing the unique approach of replacing traditional playing card decks with images of missing and murdered individuals, law enforcement hoped inmates could provide crucial information to solve these lingering cases. This episode aims to shed light on one of Texas's most perplexing unsolved murders, seeking justice for Debra Sue Moore through detailed investigation and community involvement.

The Crime

Timeline of Events:

• May 17, 1986, Around 3 AM:
  A scream pierces the quiet of the Viva apartment complex. Dale, a resident, rushes outside and discovers Debra Sue Moore, a 25-year-old woman, lying blood-soaked and motionless outside apartment 51. Despite Dale's immediate CPR efforts, Debra succumbs to her injuries and is pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.

• Debra's Last Hours:
  Debra had spent the evening with Charles Ezell, whom she met on a double date at the Brewery Bar. Around 1:45 AM, after having dinner at Denny's, Debra and Charles returned to his apartment. Debra later went to retrieve her overnight bag from her car, only to return moments before Dale found her in a lifeless state.

Notable Quote:
"Debra stepped out into the living room and she was there in the doorway, bleeding, and she fell to the floor." – Charles Ezell [05:34]

Initial Investigation and Suspects

The initial suspect in Debra’s murder was her estranged husband, Timothy Moore, due to their turbulent relationship marked by abuse. However, when three other women were attacked in the same vicinity within the same week, investigators reconsidered the possibility of a serial predator operating in the area.

Witness Testimonies:

• James, Neighbor:
  From his balcony, James witnessed Debra struggling with an unidentified man near the north gate, describing the assailant as a white male with brown chin-length hair, approximately six feet tall, slim build, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
  “He fled eastbound through a gate that led to the Fairgreen apartments next door.” – James [07:38]

• 711 Clerk:
  At 3:05 AM, a female clerk at a nearby 7-Eleven reported an attempted abduction by a slim, white male matching the earlier description.
  “If you get into my car, nothing will happen to you, but if not, then I can’t be responsible for what happens.” – 711 Clerk [20:23]

Tim Moore's Involvement

Tim Moore, Debra's estranged husband, became the primary suspect due to allegations of domestic abuse. Multiple witnesses, including Debra's friend Curtis and her ex-boyfriend Jimmy, reported Tim’s violent behavior towards her. Despite Tim’s initial cooperation with the police, including multiple interviews and searches of his possessions, no concrete evidence linked him directly to her murder.

Key Findings:

• Domestic Abuse:
  Tim admitted to physically injuring Debra on two occasions but downplayed the severity and circumstances surrounding these incidents.
  “Debra often made a bigger deal about things than they really were.” – Tim Moore [15:29]

• Alibi Concerns:
  Tim claimed to have been at his office and later at his truck shop during the time of the murder, providing no solid alibi and lacking evidence to support his statements.

Polygraph Examination:
On June 26, Tim voluntarily took a polygraph test, denying involvement in Debra’s murder. The polygraph examiner deemed Tim truthful, although not all pertinent questions were addressed.
“Did you stab Debra in the parking lot of the Viva Apartments, causing her death?” – Polygraph Question [40:09]

David Good's Involvement

David Good emerged as a significant suspect following a series of events linking him to the night of Debra's murder:

• Attempted Abduction at 7-Eleven:
  David admitted to attempting to kidnap the clerk, confessing his intent to rape and possibly kill her. However, discrepancies in the timeline and his clothing raised doubts about his involvement in Debra's case.

• Physical Description Match:
  The description from the 7-Eleven clerk closely matched the earlier witness accounts of Debra's attacker. David’s vehicle was found near the University Garden Apartments, corroborating his proximity to the crime scene.

Admittance and Legal Outcome:
David confessed to the abduction but was only convicted of simple assault, receiving a fine without any jail time. Despite his admission, no direct evidence linked him to Debra’s murder, and DNA comparisons remain inconclusive.

Notable Quote:
"He broke down in tears and was talking freely about his drinking problem, about his problems with women and his tendency to feel violent toward women." – Detective Gonzalez on David Good [24:28]

Other Leads and Suspects

The investigation revealed multiple leads, though none provided definitive answers:

• Billy from Fairgreen Apartments:
  Initially misidentified through a poor-quality newspaper photo, Billy was later acquitted of related sexual assault charges, weakening his connection to Debra's case.

• Anonymous Tips:
  An anonymous caller named Ricky claimed responsibility for Debra’s murder years later, but lacked sufficient information to advance the case.

• Frank:
  Debra’s sister, Jana, mentioned interactions with a man named Frank shortly before Debra’s death. Detective Gonzalez is actively seeking information about this individual, hoping he holds vital clues.

Notable Quote:
"It's about... just that it's done. It's closed. You know what I mean?" – Brandi Moore [67:35]

Impact on the Family

Debra’s tragic death profoundly affected her family, particularly her children Burt and Brandy:

• Burt Moore:
  Witnessed the abuse his mother endured and struggled with the aftermath, including his father's subsequent suicide.
  “Tim was shooting his gun in the house, and bullets went through the bedroom walls where the kids were.” – Burt Moore [49:41]

• Brandy Moore:
  Grew up without her mother, enduring her father’s abuse and the emotional scars it left.

Both siblings express a deep desire for closure and justice, seeking answers that have remained elusive for decades.

Notable Quote:
"You can’t get her back. We can’t. We can’t go back in time and fix things. But at least we could have some closure." – Burt Moore [67:35]

Current Investigation Efforts

Detective Gonzalez has recently taken over the case, employing modern forensic techniques to revisit old evidence:

• DNA Testing:
  Revisiting Debra’s sexual assault kit, including her fingernails and robe, to extract potential DNA evidence.
  “I'm sending that to be tested as well." – Detective Gonzalez [62:33]

• Re-interviewing Witnesses:
  Attempting to contact deceased or uncooperative witnesses to gather new testimonies.

• Unexplored Leads:
  Investigating individuals connected to Debra’s life and Tim’s social circle, including potential hires or acquaintances capable of committing the crime.

Notable Quote:
"Detective Gonzalez believes there are more witnesses out there that she would love to talk to." – Narration [68:32]

Conclusion

Debra Sue Moore’s murder remains an unresolved mystery, with multiple suspects and conflicting pieces of evidence clouding the investigation. The episode underscores the enduring pain of unresolved loss and the relentless pursuit of justice by both law enforcement and the victim’s family. By revisiting old evidence and encouraging public assistance, The Deck aims to bring new light to this cold case, hoping that the truth will finally emerge after decades of uncertainty.

Final Quote:
"She didn’t get a chance to pull herself out of it. For all we know, she was in the process of pulling herself out of it, but she didn't get a chance to." – Brandi Moore [66:37]

Call to Action

Detective Gonzalez is actively seeking information from anyone connected to Debra Sue Moore or the events surrounding her death. Listeners who may possess relevant information are encouraged to reach out to the Odessa Police Department or Crime Stoppers to aid in resolving this enduring case.

The Deck is an Audio Chuck production dedicated to uncovering the truth behind cold cases, working alongside families and investigators to bring justice to the forgotten victims.