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Final Suspect in 1983 KFC Murders Identified Posthumously

12/18/2025

40 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Texas officials identified Devan Riggs as the final suspect in the 1983 "KFC murders" in Rusk County, where five people were abducted and killed on September 24, 1983.
DNA testing linked Riggs to the case after two men were convicted in 2007 and 2008 based on DNA evidence.
Riggs died over a decade ago, preventing arrests.
The Texas Department of Public Safety noted collaboration is vital for solving cold cases.

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Story summary

Texas officials identified Devan Riggs as the final suspect in the 1983 "KFC murders" in Rusk County, where five people were abducted and killed on September 24, 1983.
DNA testing linked Riggs to the case after two men were convicted in 2007 and 2008 based on DNA evidence.
Riggs died over a decade ago, preventing arrests.
The Texas Department of Public Safety noted collaboration is vital for solving cold cases.