Douglas Thomas, 67, of Waco, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 1992 murder of Shenda Denise Hayes, a sex worker whose body was discovered at a truck stop in Titus County. Thomas, who was a truck driver at the time, was linked to Hayes’ murder through DNA evidence.
The case remained unsolved until a Texas Ranger interviewed Thomas, who provided his DNA without realizing its connection to the crime. "A Texas Ranger went out and met with him and he gave his DNA not realizing what it would connect him to," said McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Rebeckah Lawson.
Thomas pleaded guilty in McLennan County court and will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years of his 40-year sentence.
The family of Hayes revealed that Hayes had given birth to a daughter shortly before her murder, but they are unaware of the child's current whereabouts and believe she may be living in the Waco area.
Thomas is also facing murder charges in California for the 1993 death of Sherri Herrera, a California sex worker and mother of four. A trial date for the California charges has not yet been set. "He was a truck driver for 40 years — There’s a possibility there are more victims and I hope they are solved," Lawson added.
