2017 article on Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly murders

[1990 UM fan]

The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit has been contacted to assist in the 1988 double homicide investigation of Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly, according to a joint news release from the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office and San Angelo FBI.

Members of the unit recently came to San Angelo and met with the investigative team consisting of the sheriff's office, Texas Rangers and San Angelo FBI. The unit was given critical case information in which they were able to share both critical investigative analysis and possible evidentiary opportunities, the release stated.

The FBI unit aids law enforcement agencies across the country and around the world through investigative analysis, which can be used to assist investigators by offering investigative suggestions, interview strategies, search warrant assistance and expert testimony, according to the FBI.

About 29 years ago, the remains of McNelly and Stewart were recovered near the Twin Buttes Reservoir months after the couple went missing while attending a fireworks display at Lake Nasworthy on July 4, 1988.

Autopsies revealed both died of gunshot wounds.

The double homicide has been an active investigation throughout the years and has involved many local and state agencies.

Every effort to bring this case to a successful conclusion will be explored. Further developments are expected and updates will be provided, the release stated.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 325-655-8111 or San Angelo FBI at 325-942-8588.

(6/15/17)

[Jon]

New evidence has been found. I had to read it a few times to believe it...they found items in this guy's house related to the murder 30 years later??

http://www.myfoxzone.com/mb/news/new...88-1/450722871

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by Jon

New evidence has been found. I had to read it a few times to believe it...they found items in this guy's house related to the murder 30 years later??

http://www.myfoxzone.com/mb/news/new...88-1/450722871

That's a TON of items to stupidly keep around if you're trying to get away with murder. But it's been almost 30 years and he probably thought he would.

Still an amazing development. I wonder if this is the same guy Shane's father confronted when Shane and Sally went missing. (Lifetime cut that part out but you can see it on Amazon Prime.)

Hopefully this case will finally soon be closed and the guilty parties punished.

[RobinW]

Wow, they found a fingernail with those items in Gilbreath's home?! Now I'm curious to know if Sally or Shane might have been missing any of their fingernails when they were murdered.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by RobinW

Wow, they found a fingernail with those items in Gilbreath's home?! Now I'm curious to know if Sally or Shane might have been missing any of their fingernails when they were murdered.

Pretty damn incriminating.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Originally Posted by RobinW

Wow, they found a fingernail with those items in Gilbreath's home?! Now I'm curious to know if Sally or Shane might have been missing any of their fingernails when they were murdered.

They can certainly test the DNA found in the lock of hair against Shane/Sally's family.

Although I agree with everyone that this looks very very bad, a part of me wonders if he's not just a true-crime nut who was obsessed with the case. I'm obviously very interested to hear what is on the "SS" tapes and what the notes say....

[hostedbyrobertstack]

When I first read the article I forgot that this was about 30 years ago, so this guy was actually 17 at the time of the murder. Makes a lot more sense now...

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by hostedbyrobertstack

When I first read the article I forgot that this was about 30 years ago, so this guy was actually 17 at the time of the murder. Makes a lot more sense now...

I know that crazy people come in all ages but I still get a little thrown when it's revealed that a teen(s) have committed such horrible acts. The cult members, who were kids at the time, have always been the main suspects in this case. I wonder if this guy was in the cult.

The kids who attacked Jenny Pratt. It's suspected that high school boys were the ones who hit and then did unspeakable things to Tara Calico. The guy who killed Joyce McLain ended up being just a few years older than her. The two teen boys from Texas going on the killing spree. Rick Church.

I'm sure there are plenty more that escape me at the moment. But it's kind of surreal thinking about kids being responsible for some of the most haunting cases featured on this show.

[cdr369]

Originally Posted by LooksLikeCRicci

They can certainly test the DNA found in the lock of hair against Shane/Sally's family.

Although I agree with everyone that this looks very very bad, a part of me wonders if he's not just a true-crime nut who was obsessed with the case. I'm obviously very interested to hear what is on the "SS" tapes and what the notes say....

You make a good point. I was wondering if he had a friend or family member who he knew was involved in the murder, and he kept the evidence following their death. I could see a situation where you cleaned up a loved ones apartment after their death, and you find these items, but you don't want to publicly admit that the deceased was possibly a murderer.

Similar to the lost war letters the older woman inherited from her nephew. She knew that the letters were from dead soldiers, but she was just too ashamed to come forward and admit that her nephew had all of the letters and never delivered them to the rightful families.

[effluent]

Article from July 3- http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/new...ase/448420001/

[Hops3098]

Originally Posted by LooksLikeCRicci

a part of me wonders if he's not just a true-crime nut who was obsessed with the case.

I agree that it's a possibility, and I appreciate your cautious optimism.

However, the guy who was arrested seems to have made a career out of drug dealing and theft. I'm guessing with your background, you're as good as anyone to answer this question, but I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts--

How many career criminals are true-crime nuts? Obviously, many end up with a lot of legal knowledge from being in and out of courtrooms, defending themselves, studying in prison, etc, but rather I mean more in the sense that we board members are into true crime. Maybe I should ask the question the other way around.... How many true-crime nuts are career criminals?

My gut tells me not many, but its something I have never really considered before.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by Hops3098

How many career criminals are true-crime nuts? Obviously, many end up with a lot of legal knowledge from being in and out of courtrooms, defending themselves, studying in prison, etc, but rather I mean more in the sense that we board members are into true crime. Maybe I should ask the question the other way around.... How many true-crime nuts are career criminals?

My gut tells me not many, but its something I have never really considered before.

I think it kind of depends on the type of criminal. I want to say I've read that more than a handful of serial-type criminals, such as bank robbers and even murderers, have been known to save newspaper clippings related to criminal acts not their own and collect true crime books and such.

[Huskerz85]

Article from the local San Angelo paper from Monday (what would've been Sally's 48th Birthday)

https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/ne...day/460569002/

[schmave]

Originally Posted by hostedbyrobertstack

When I first read the article I forgot that this was about 30 years ago, so this guy was actually 17 at the time of the murder. Makes a lot more sense now...

That is the oldest-looking 47-year-old I've ever seen. He's apparently lived a pretty hard life.

[soilentgreen]

I wasn't aware that Shane and Sally's graves were together.

I'm wondering if Gilbreath was one of the men who allegedly were in possession of Sally's driver license not long after the murders. Looking at his mugshot, he's had a rough 47 years.