True Crime All The Time Unsolved

Episode: Tracey Neilson
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson
Date: February 2, 2026

Overview

This episode examines the brutal unsolved 1981 murder of Tracey Diane Waterfield Nielsen in Moore, Oklahoma. The hosts, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson, reconstruct Tracey’s life, the circumstances around her murder, subsequent investigations, and the long-lasting impact on her family. The episode also explores frustrating dead ends, the evolution of forensic technology, and the hope that one day the case might still be solved.

Tracey Nielsen: Life and Background

[03:37 – 05:50]

• Tracey was born January 5, 1960, in Canadian, Texas, the middle child of three.
• She was active in sports, student council, and cheerleading.
• Attended Oklahoma State University, joining the PI Beta Phi sorority.
• Met future husband Jeff Nielsen on a blind date, married in August 1980.
• Moved to Moore, Oklahoma, for further studies—Jeff in pre-med and Tracey in physical therapy, specializing in helping people with disabilities.
• Tracey was described as vibrant, compassionate, and beloved by all.

“She was fun. She was crazy. She loved to cook. She was very busy, very much alive. She loved people.”
– Sandy Waterfield, Tracey’s mother, [04:25]

• Tracey and Jeff were described by family as a perfect couple, deeply in love.

The Murder

[08:03 – 13:05]

• January 5, 1981: Tracey’s 21st birthday.
• Jeff attended classes; Tracey did chores, visited a grocery store in the morning.
• Tracey did not answer birthday calls after noon; believed killed shortly after noon.
• [05:51 – 08:49] Jeff returned at 5:11pm with birthday gifts. He found the door unlocked, dinner preparation underway, and Tracey’s body in their bedroom—stabbed multiple times, throat cut.
• No signs of forced entry, struggle, or robbery; all clothing undisturbed.
• Neighbors heard nothing unusual.

“Absolutely brutal. And it’s... also her birthday. And that just seems like somehow it would make it even worse if you could make it worse.”
– Mike Ferguson, [09:45]

• The murder weapon was not found, but kitchen knives were tested for comparison.
• Time of death established as noon to shortly after.

The Investigation

[13:06 – 19:02]

• Initial Theories and Suspects
  • No motive established; investigators ruled out Jeff quickly.
  • No evidence of sexual assault; motive unclear.
  • Tracey’s trusting nature may have played a role; she would let anyone in.

“She wasn’t afraid because everybody loved her. She was comfortable with anybody, completely at ease.”
– Sandy Waterfield, [13:55]

• Witness Descriptions and Suspect
  • Witnesses described a suspicious man seen near the apartment around noon.
  • Two descriptions conflicted mainly in hairstyle but were otherwise similar:
    • Late 20s/early 30s, 5'9"-5'10", 150-170 lbs, variously curly or military-cut hair.
  • Attempts to identify this man have failed.
• Evidence
  • Single fingerprint at the scene had no match at the time.

“We’re working on a million theories right now, but the case investigators have assured me we haven’t run out of suspects.”
– OSBI Spokesman Paul Renfro, [28:51]

• Authorities considered but eventually dismissed a potential link to known killer J. Kelly Pinkerton, whose crimes involved sexual assault, unlike Tracey’s case.

Forensic and Investigative Roadblocks

[30:34 – 36:26]

• Technology Limitations
  • 1988: OSBI pushed for an automated fingerprint system, arguing manual checks were impractical.
  • 1990: Oklahoma approved funding for an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), championed by Tracey’s in-laws.
  • Despite hundreds of solved cases, Tracey’s print yielded no match; her killer’s prints are not in the system.

“A detective could spend his entire career going through our fingerprint files and never solve the case. But the computer can search an entire file in a matter of minutes.”
– OSBI Director Ted Lemke, [34:03]

• Key Evidence Released Decades Later
  • In 2015, OSBI revealed:
    • A mysterious cable ticket book, last ticket logged at Tracey’s apartment at 11:51am.
    • No cable or utility work was scheduled; initials and an employee number remain unidentified.
    • In July 2015: A unique keychain with Tracey’s name believed stolen as a trophy.
  • These leads were held back for decades, frustrating the hosts.

“I feel like waiting this long is a critical error.”
– Mike Gibson, [40:31]

• Large $100,000 reward offered for actionable information.

Family Impact and Unanswered Questions

[44:27 – 50:33]

• Both family and investigators see the volume and brutality of the attack as indicators of extreme rage, but without clear motive.
• Tracey’s sister, Cindy, shared the profound void left by her death:

“So much was taken from us and from her that day... her future was taken away just like that.”
– Cindy, Tracey’s sister, [45:54]

• Jeff Nielsen, now an orthopedic surgeon, recounted his trauma at discovering Tracey’s body and the ongoing psychological toll:

“During my first years at medical school, I was dissecting cadavers, but nothing prepares you for that. It was absolutely horrible.”
– Jeff Nielsen, [46:41]

• He also noted the daily struggle with "what if" scenarios and the ever-present pain of closure denied.

Recent Developments & Ongoing Hope

[50:33 – End]

• Release of evidence in 2015 generated tips, but no arrests.
• OSBI continues to hope the fingerprint or stolen keychain could provide a breakthrough, possibly via new relationships or confessions.
• The case, now over 45 years cold, still affects everyone who knew Tracey.

“With the fingerprint on file or with the right information from the public, this is definitely one of those cases... that could be solved one day.”
– Mike Ferguson, [51:40]

• Listeners with any information are encouraged to contact OSBI at coldcase@osbi.ok.gov or 800-522-8017.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [05:51] “She was extremely smart and funny, and I loved being around her.” – Jeff Nielsen
• [13:06] “No motive. Okay, where do you start?” – Mike Ferguson
• [40:31] “I feel like waiting this long is a critical error.” – Mike Gibson
• [46:41] “Nothing prepares you for that. It was absolutely horrible.” – Jeff Nielsen

Major Theories & Takeaways

• Prime Suspect: Mystery “cable worker” or pseudo-utility employee, never identified.
• Limited Forensic Matches: Crime scene fingerprint never matched in databases.
• Random or Targeted? Unclear if Tracey was targeted or a victim of opportunity; savagery implies rage.
• Withheld Evidence: Family and hosts question why crucial clues (the ticket book, keychain) were not publicized sooner.
• Case Status: Unsolved, but potentially solvable via fingerprints, the stolen keychain, or a confession spurred by renewed attention.

For listeners, this episode illuminates the heartbreak of a promising life ended without explanation and the persistent hope that new eyes and emerging technology might someday provide closure to Tracey’s family.