Latisha Ann Hilley, 39, of Abilene was found dead behind an abandoned home in north Abilene on July 26, 2015. Authorities quickly treated the death as a homicide after determining she had been shot in the head. A firearm believed to be the murder weapon was recovered in the vehicle of John Atkins, a 53-year-old Abilene resident.

Atkins was arrested and charged with Hilley’s murder. During the trial several witnesses, including Hilley’s younger sister and Atkins’ ex-wife, testified. Atkins said he was only a witness and that the real killer remained at large, but a jury convicted him of first-degree murder. In February 2018 Atkins was sentenced to 67 years in prison.

Hilley’s family endured nearly three years of legal proceedings before the conviction; her mother, Doris Bracy, spoke of relief, and Hilley’s daughter Samantha described the ongoing impact of her mother’s absence. Does anyone have memories of Latisha or information that could add context to her case?