Donna Sue Jester, 37, of Lancaster, Texas, was one of three women murdered in their home on September 27, 1986. Donna lived with her adoptive mother, 64-year-old Dalpha Jester, and a lodger, Laura Lee Owens. Donna had met David Martin Long while he was hitchhiking on September 19, 1986, and invited him to stay in exchange for doing household repairs.

On the night of the killings Long used a hatchet to kill Donna first, then attacked Dalpha Jester, who was bedridden and dependent on Donna, and later murdered Laura Owens when she returned from work. The crime scene was described as gruesome, with blood splattered through the house; the hatchet was later found washed and wrapped in a towel in the bathroom sink. Donna’s diary, which recorded her meeting with Long, provided a key lead.

Long was arrested later the same day for drunken driving in Buffalo and allegedly confessed, but was released because the bodies had not yet been found. A manhunt followed and Long was arrested on October 24, 1986. Anyone who knew Donna, Dalpha, or Laura, or who has information about the days before the murders is asked to come forward.