Can anyone elaborate on this murder for me please. For some reason I can't remember it and when I did a search for it on this forum they facts were still too skecthcy for me.

Isn't that the girl who went out dancing one night, but the next morning she was found dead (her body burned, I think?). Haven't seen this case in awhile, I wonder if it's on the dvds...

Isn't that the girl who went out dancing one night, but the next morning she was found dead (her body burned, I think?). Haven't seen this case in awhile, I wonder if it's on the dvds...

My understanding is that the segment is on the Bizarre Murders set.

Can anyone elaborate on this murder for me please. For some reason I can't remember it and when I did a search for it on this forum they facts were still too skecthcy for me.

For details on the case, go to the following link:

http://www.unsolved.com/0150-Megan.html

there is a link that says the prime suspect in the case, her ex husband/boyfriend died after refusing medical attention after falling from a water tower...
every time i see it on the dvd set the sketch really freaks me out! weird al's evil twin!

there is a link that says the prime suspect in the case, her ex husband/boyfriend died after refusing medical attention after falling from a water tower...
every time i see it on the dvd set the sketch really freaks me out! weird al's evil twin!

It was her ex-boyfriend Tim Purvis. I learned about this from an article I discovered via the internet. The article was dated July 7, 2003. Therefore, it's been two years since Purvis died.

For those of you who want to read the article, here is the link:

http://ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=1362039

thank you for the link...after seeing this case I remember very well. :p

i wonder if purvis meets the description of the creepy sketch they showed...

That was 26-year-old Megan Romero Curl. She was a little mentally challenged and she was out dancing one night at a club in Lufkin, Texas. After she left the club, she was seen by a friend talking to an unidentified man in the parking lot of her apartment complex. From my understanding, that was the last time she was seen alive. Next, a fire broke out in her apartment and the bed was burning with her tied to it. They don't know who committed that awful crime.

A composite sketch was shown at the end of the show.

Also, as mentioned above, this case is on the Unsolved Mysteries: Bizarre Murders set.

Cheers,

greatgarrett2

I have serious doubts about the killer being the ex boyfriend. I believe had it been Tim Purvis then Megan would have been reluctant to be alone with him after he coming over un announced if what is reported was true, that he abused her. Also she would have named him to her friend that lived in the complex. Since they lived in the same building and it would be obvious that Megan would have mention him coming around or if it was him that fateful night. I believe our killer is still alive and well .. Maybe there will be some clues or tips surface to help reignite this case

I have serious doubts about the killer being the ex boyfriend. I believe had it been Tim Purvis then Megan would have been reluctant to be alone with him after he coming over un announced if what is reported was true, that he abused her. Also she would have named him to her friend that lived in the complex. Since they lived in the same building and it would be obvious that Megan would have mention him coming around or if it was him that fateful night. I believe our killer is still alive and well .. Maybe there will be some clues or tips surface to help reignite this case

Maybe this is too obvious but I think that it was the last guy that she was seen with in her apartment by her neighbour. Unfortunately, nobody knows who he was but I don't believe that it was this Purvis fellow.

i wonder if they ever found the guy who was not a suspect????

Just watched this segment, According to Megan, the guy was someone she met at the club that night. So, unless the ex-boyfriend came over to her apt. after the unknown dude left, I can't see how the ex boyfriend did it?

I knew these people and was actually questioned by the Lufkin PD in the days following this. I never believed Tim did this. He wasn't really what you would call a good guy but I didn't think he was capable of this. Megan had testified against Tim and had his parole revoked for domestic violence and she had a restraining order against him at the time of her death. This is actually the first time I have ever seen this sketch. Kinda looks like Tim but the hair is too long and he never wore glasses. He was blonde but he usually kept it cut pretty close. I dont believe he had access to an automobile that evening, either. He lived close to her apartment and the police went there early the next morning. Supposedly he was sound asleep-passed out drunk when the cops got there. Megan worked at a large chicken processing plant and was a regular at these bars. She was a good looking girl and knew a lot of men. This could been anyone in the Lufkin area and i believe the police were so totally focused on Purvis that they didn't even look elsewhere.

i wonder if they ever found the guy who was not a suspect????
Dont believe so.

Here's a book-in picture of Purvis at the Angelina County Jail on May 11, 2000-about six weeks after the murder. I have to admit thats a little creepy. Does look like him especially around the eyes.

Here's a book-in picture of Purvis at the Angelina County Jail on May 11, 2000-about six weeks after the murder. I have to admit thats a little creepy. Does look like him especially around the eyes.

Why was he arrested? It's sad to think that someone would kill a mildly ******** woman let alone any person. I think if they didn't kick her out of the club and her going to the other one, then she might still be alive today.

On another note, I think Purvis looks more like the second composite drawing here: http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/395638_351309584886722_100000230503611_1327717_631891967_n.jpg

He was arrested for a parole violation in May and was released from county about a month later. He didnt go to prison at that time.

The thing about her being mildly ********. I didnt know that. I'm not sure if it was common knowledge. I didnt know her that great, though but I was around her partying with them and it wasnt like anything that you would notice.

The "cowboy" in the second sketch had olive skin and was possibly a Hispanic. She worked with hundreds of Hispanic men at the poultry plant but I'm assuming the LPD checked that out. If Purvis had been at The Electric Cowboy literally dozens of people would have known him.

I tried to link his jail records but it wont let me do it until I make 5 posts. If your interested I'll do it later.

Dont believe so.
hmm...wonder why he didnt speak up yet

Apparently they know who did it but don't have enough evidence to pin it on him.. at least that's what a Lufkin officer said a few months ago when she retired. Just google "Lufkin's first female police officer retires" and you can read what the officer says about the case.

Apparently they know who did it but don't have enough evidence to pin it on him.. at least that's what a Lufkin officer said a few months ago when she retired. Just google "Lufkin's first female police officer retires" and you can read what the officer says about the case.

WOW! Thanks Zach for posting this. For everyone else, here is a copy of the news article:

While seeing justice for victims and their families is always rewarding, Parish said there is one victim who still waits for justice today. “Megan Curl.” The name catches in her throat as she says it. Her eyes immediately fill with tears.
Curl was only 26 years old in May 2000 when her charred remains were found tied to a bed inside her burning apartment. A neighbor was the last person to see Curl alive after she arrived home from a local nightclub with a date. While Parish said they believe they know who murdered her, they still lack the evidence to make an arrest.
“We think we know who did it, but I don’t suppose we will ever have anything that will prove to us without the shadow of a doubt what really happened,” she said, wiping away tears. “I have nightmares about Megan Curl. I suppose I will always have nightmares about her.”

If this is true, then I wonder if that "eyewitness account" from Megan's neighbor is even true. If true, all they would have to do is show the witness a picture of their alleged perpetrator. Unless of course that is if the witness has passed away or will not cooperate.

WOW! Thanks Zach for posting this. For everyone else, here is a copy of the news article:

While seeing justice for victims and their families is always rewarding, Parish said there is one victim who still waits for justice today. “Megan Curl.” The name catches in her throat as she says it. Her eyes immediately fill with tears.
Curl was only 26 years old in May 2000 when her charred remains were found tied to a bed inside her burning apartment. A neighbor was the last person to see Curl alive after she arrived home from a local nightclub with a date. While Parish said they believe they know who murdered her, they still lack the evidence to make an arrest.
“We think we know who did it, but I don’t suppose we will ever have anything that will prove to us without the shadow of a doubt what really happened,” she said, wiping away tears. “I have nightmares about Megan Curl. I suppose I will always have nightmares about her.”
She's talking about Purvis. Libby Parrish is one of the officers who interviewed me at the time of the murder along with Scoot Marcotte, who is now Chief of Police in Lufkin.

She's talking about Purvis. Libby Parrish is one of the officers who interviewed me at the time of the murder along with Scoot Marcotte, who is now Chief of Police in Lufkin.

You were interviewed about the murder? Did you know Megan Curl or were you at one of the bars she was at that night? Just curious why you were interviewed.

I knew these people and was actually questioned by the Lufkin PD in the days following this. I never believed Tim did this. He wasn't really what you would call a good guy but I didn't think he was capable of this. Megan had testified against Tim and had his parole revoked for domestic violence and she had a restraining order against him at the time of her death. This is actually the first time I have ever seen this sketch. Kinda looks like Tim but the hair is too long and he never wore glasses. He was blonde but he usually kept it cut pretty close. I dont believe he had access to an automobile that evening, either. He lived close to her apartment and the police went there early the next morning. Supposedly he was sound asleep-passed out drunk when the cops got there. Megan worked at a large chicken processing plant and was a regular at these bars. She was a good looking girl and knew a lot of men. This could been anyone in the Lufkin area and i believe the police were so totally focused on Purvis that they didn't even look elsewhere.
Probably a few weeks after the murder I was @ Purvis' house drinking till late. A day or two later Marcotte and Parrish were knocking on my door...

Probably a few weeks after the murder I was @ Purvis' house drinking till late. A day or two later Marcotte and Parrish were knocking on my door...

Do you believe him to be guilty/innocent? Did he ever mention the murders to you in an incriminating way?

Do you believe him to be guilty/innocent? Did he ever mention the murders to you in an incriminating way?
I always thought he was innocent. I dont remember him talking much about the murder except to say he was innocent. If you scroll back through this thread you'll see where I placed the police sketch next to Purvis' jail book-in photo during the same time period. That actually made me wonder because he does kind of look like it.

When he died about a year later in a fall from a water tower the Lufkin newspaper had a large headline on the front page: "Accused murderer dies in fall" which is crazy because he had never been indicted, charged, or even announced officially as a suspect.

I always thought he was innocent. I dont remember him talking much about the murder except to say he was innocent. If you scroll back through this thread you'll see where I placed the police sketch next to Purvis' jail book-in photo during the same time period. That actually made me wonder because he does kind of look like it.

When he died about a year later in a fall from a water tower the Lufkin newspaper had a large headline on the front page: "Accused murderer dies in fall" which is crazy because he had never been indicted, charged, or even announced officially as a suspect.

Any idea why you believe that they think its Purvis but dont have enough to pin it on him as the article suggested? Any ideas why they think its him?

Any idea why you believe that they think its Purvis but dont have enough to pin it on him as the article suggested? Any ideas why they think its him?
Megan had testified against him in some sort of domestic abuse case which had his parole revoked and he was sent back to prison. She had a restraining order against him. Obviously he had gotten violent with her before (although i dont think she was injured). He did have a motive and was a convicted felon. The fire destroyed any physical or DNA evidence.

Basically they "believe" that Purvis did it. No real evidence. He wasnt at the club that night. I dont know if Unsolved Mysteries is completely factual but in the reenactment she tell her neighbor,"It's my friend from the club". Also Purvis never wore glasses.

I dont think Purvis did it but if some new evidence was uncovered and he proved to be guilty I dont guess it would be a big surprise.

I don't get it...if this was supposedly Megan's ex-boyfriend who came over to her apartment, why did she tell her friend, "Oh that's my friend from the club"? Why wouldn't she say "that's my ex boyfriend"?

I don't get it...if this was supposedly Megan's ex-boyfriend who came over to her apartment, why did she tell her friend, "Oh that's my friend from the club"? Why wouldn't she say "that's my ex boyfriend"?
Exactly. And if the neighbor saw him why couldnt she make a positive I.D. of Purvis? Basically they had no evidence and Tim had a motive although, to be honest, foe someone who had been in prison before,having his parole revoked and going back for the short time that he did...(I think it was less than a year) it just really wasnt that big of a deal. Purvis wasnt a violent criminal. He was a thief who liked to drink and party and have a good time. He was only about 5'6", maybe 160 lbs. They never explained whose car he was supposedly in. He didnt own a car. No one was going to loan him a car. If they did why did they never find it? Basically the LPD didnt have any clues so they went to the obvious and tormented the ex-boyfriend.

I think Megan ran into a random psychopath at the club she went to that night. If it was in fact her ex-boyfriend, I see no reason why she would have told her friend that he was a "friend from the club".

Sounds reasonable...she was a party girl.

Sounds reasonable...she was a party girl.
Sorry don't mean to get to personal but, how did u know Megan? Was it common for her to invite men over often late at night? And how severely was her mental retardation? From the UM segment I got she was fairly normal just very trusting to anybody and was very susceptible because of good looks.

I don't get it...if this was supposedly Megan's ex-boyfriend who came over to her apartment, why did she tell her friend, "Oh that's my friend from the club"? Why wouldn't she say "that's my ex boyfriend"?

To be honest, I question just how true this "eyewitness account" was. If Purvis was indeed their prime and only suspect, all you'd have to do is go to this eyewitness and show her a picture.

To be honest, I question just how true this "eyewitness account" was. If Purvis was indeed there prime and only suspect, all you'd have to do is go to this eyewitness and show her a picture.

It may have been Purvis who Megan's friend saw. If her friend/neighbor knew Megan had an abusive relationship with Purvis, perhaps Megan figured it would rifle any feathers if she just identified him as a "friend from the club". If she said, "oh that's my ex", her friend may have chided her for getting back with him.

I think Megan ran into a random psychopath at the club she went to that night. If it was in fact her ex-boyfriend, I see no reason why she would have told her friend that he was a "friend from the club".
I think there's is a good chance of this because of how friendly she was and would probably invite anyone over who at least "seemed" nice.

It may have been Purvis who Megan's friend saw. If her friend/neighbor knew Megan had an abusive relationship with Purvis, perhaps Megan figured it would rifle any feathers if she just identified him as a "friend from the club". If she said, "oh that's my ex", her friend may have chided her for getting back with him.

I guess that could be true. I'm wondering if the "friend from the club" and Megan had sex that night and unbeknownst to Megan, Purvis was heading over to see her anyway and noticed that a man was leaving. Maybe he became enraged at the sight of her having just been with another man. I don't know how deep or serious their relationship was but I'm just speculating.

Also, it seems odd to me that if they believe Pervis to be the perpetrator, yet he is dead now, that the female detective would still have nightmares and discuss not being able to charge anyone. Maybe its just me, but if I knew it was someone yet couldn't prove it and that person died, I'd feel a little bit better about it.

One of Tim Pervis' buddies commented on this thread a few years ago. He posted a picture of Pervis next to the picture of the sketch. It definitely looks like him, but I just don't see how he fits into this since, by all accounts, Megan brought home a man she met at a nightclub earlier that evening.

I'm not really sure how to put this in a "PG rated" form, but I'll try.

We know Megan Curl went to a club and brought a man she met there, home with her. We also know that Megan was found with her throat cut, wearing some sort of lingerie and herself, bed and everything in her bedroom set ablaze.

Here's where I'll try to keep it PG. She met a man at a club and was wearing lingerie and tied to the bed before she was murdered. I've never had an "experience" with a woman I just met where she wore lingerie and wanted to be tied to the bed on the first night. I wonder if the person who killed her was someone she knew and had a previous relationship with. Someone she was comfortable with. Someone who she may have done that sort of thing with. Someone like, Pervis.

She met a man at a club and was wearing lingerie and tied to the bed before she was murdered. I've never had an "experience" with a woman I just met where she wore lingerie and wanted to be tied to the bed on the first night. I wonder if the person who killed her was someone she knew and had a previous relationship with. Someone she was comfortable with. Someone who she may have done that sort of thing with. Someone like, Pervis.

This is plausible for sure. However, are we certain that she was tied to the bed willingly?

This is plausible for sure. However, are we certain that she was tied to the bed willingly?

My memory is foggy and I could be wrong but I thought the police theorized that her throat was cut after she was tied to the bed? I always assumed she did it willingly, but you could be right. It may have been done by force.

Huge bump, but I just saw this segment for the first time today.

The killer had to have been someone she knew. It seems pre-meditated given the severity of the murder. I think it was an ex-boyfriend/FWB who she gave an STD/disease to. She was some form of being mentally challenged, and had slept around a lot, I wouldn't be surprised if she was oblivious to having safe sex. Given how easy she would've been to take advantage of, and how many "boyfriends" she had, I wonder if she passed on a disease, and was killed in revenge. It fits with how brutally murdered she was. I can't see a random dude from the club doing this.

To address the responses "if he was an ex-boyfriend, then why would she introduce him as a friend from the club?"

Maybe her neighbor knew she had an abusive ex, but had never seen him before, and Megan didn't want to say the truth because she knew her friend would freak out so she just said "a guy from the club" to keep her calm.

EDIT: Whoops, I did NOT read the previous replies. Guess Tim Pervis did it. An abusive ex who she testified against, and had a straining order against? He also lived close. I agree with Hambone, that Pervis saw her with another man and went berserk. Absusive ex's are like criminals, they typically "return to the scene", so I'm sure in a drunk/drug fueled rage he went over there and did it. Sketch also looks like him.

But wouldn't the neighbor had seen Pervis before if he was stalking her? If he lived that close, and would be brazen to see her anyway despite a restraining order, then I'm sure he was there before, unless she just always missed him. Could've been another ex entirely though.

But wouldn't the neighbor had seen Pervis before if he was stalking her? If he lived that close, and would be brazen to see her anyway despite a restraining order, then I'm sure he was there before, unless she just always missed him. Could've been another ex entirely though.

I've learned to take eyewitness testimony with a grain of salt. How many times have we seen eyewitnesses (particularly in UM segments) swear up down they saw something/someone, only to find out later that it wasn't the case? I think a lot of these people want to insert themselves into a situation that they have no business being in and no knowledge of. Not saying that was the case here, but it could have been.

I've learned to take eyewitness testimony with a grain of salt. How many times have we seen eyewitnesses (particularly in UM segments) swear up down they saw something/someone, only to find out later that it wasn't the case? I think a lot of these people want to insert themselves into a situation that they have no business being in and no knowledge of. Not saying that was the case here, but it could have been.

Yeah, true. Something was definitely strange about her testimony. It's like she described Pervis perfectly, but then added glasses and long hair. She did seem genuine as in she looked out for her, but maybe she knew it was Pervis but was scared? Strange case.

Most likely the possible witness at the club & the murderer are one & the same. Likely this guy wanted rough sex, she didn't, or she backed out of sex having agreed-so he tied her down & raped her. Then when she threatened to go to the cops he killed her & set her body on fire.

I don't get it...if this was supposedly Megan's ex-boyfriend who came over to her apartment, why did she tell her friend, "Oh that's my friend from the club"? Why wouldn't she say "that's my ex boyfriend"?

I can think why she might have said it even if it were her ex. She had probably told her neighbor all about her awful abusive ex boyfriend. Then he turns up. She (Megan) wants to talk etc...with him. Neighbor comes over. Megan is too ashamed/embarrassed that this is the bad ex right here so she says "Oh this is a guy from the club." just to cover.

The investigators obtained DNA back in 2005 and sent it for testing. This was shortly after Purvis died. IMO, the investigators believed Purvis was the killer and were waiting for the DNA to match to close the case. It didn't, and that's why the case has never been closed. I still contend that if the police believed Purvis was involved, they more likely than not had questioned Megan's neighbor. She either said the person wasn't Purvis or wasn't 100% certain in identifying him. He had the motive, but then again he had an airtight alibi for the time of the murder.

This March will mark 25 years since the murder of Megan Curl - and it is still unsolved

The investigators obtained DNA back in 2005 and sent it for testing. This was shortly after Purvis died. IMO, the investigators believed Purvis was the killer and were waiting for the DNA to match to close the case. It didn't, and that's why the case has never been closed. I still contend that if the police believed Purvis was involved, they more likely than not had questioned Megan's neighbor. She either said the person wasn't Purvis or wasn't 100% certain in identifying him. He had the motive, but then again he had an airtight alibi for the time of the murder.

One of a number of UM cases that could be solved with FGG.

Good news is a bipartisan bill "The Carla Walker Act" has been introduced to provide Federal funding to solve cases like this.

One little detail of this case that has bothered me is that when the fire department showed up to the apartment, they couldn't gain entry and had to break down the door. They didn't say anything about the door being obstructed, but if it were, how would the killer have been able to get out of the apartment? Did he use a key? Also not mentioned in the UM segment, but her friend said that when Megan initially got back from the club she started to cry and say she just wanted a man to love her. A few minutes later is when the presumed killer pulled in to the parking lot. But he just sat there. Didn't get out. Didn't call over to Megan. Nothing. That is not something someone showing up with the intention of getting intimate with someone would do.

I see mentions in the thread about Megan having a restraining order against Tim Purvis. Is that true? I couldnt find any other sources to corroborate that detail. If so, it definitely doesn’t make sense with respect to the neighbors account as Megan wouldn’t be casually sitting and chatting in her apartment with someone she has a restraining order against.

I just wanted to check and see if there have been any updates on this case. Megan was just so vulnerable, telling her neighbor she just wanted someone to love her. Seems especially cruel if the killer is someone who knew her. Horrible either way.