Austin, TX – Texas investigators are renewing calls for public help in solving a decades-old homicide after increasing the reward tied to the 1992 murder of an elderly Taylor man.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the death of 81-year-old Raymond “Ray” Adolph Lightner has been increased to $6,000. The higher payout applies only to tips received before the next Texas Rangers featured cold case is announced.
Lightner was found stabbed to death on Thursday, Nov. 12, 1992, inside his residence off Kimbro Street in Taylor, located in Williamson County, northeast of Austin. A home health care worker discovered his body.
Investigators said Lightner was a widower who lived alone and had recently returned home from an assisted living facility after undergoing a glaucoma procedure. He regularly stayed in touch with family members in Taylor and Austin and had spoken with a relative and a friend the evening before his body was discovered. Lightner was also known to frequent a nearby lounge, where he played dominoes.
At the time, police conducted multiple interviews and ruled out several suspects. Now, 33 years later, evidence from the case has been submitted for testing using modern DNA technology, giving investigators renewed hope for progress.
The Taylor Police Department and Texas Rangers are actively investigating the case and believe someone in the community may have critical information that could help identify the killer.
Texas Crime Stoppers, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, provides cash rewards for tips leading to arrests in Texas Rangers cold cases. More than 140 unsolved cases are listed on the DPS website.
Tips must be submitted by calling 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or through the official Crime Stoppers website by selecting “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case.” Tips remain anonymous.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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