BENBROOK, Texas — Jim Walker is preparing to celebrate his 50th Christmas without his sister, Carla. She was just 17 years old in 1974 when she was abducted, raped and strangled to death.
“I loved her, and I regret not having her in my life,” Jim said, his voice heavy with emotion.“There’s still healing that’s taking place... It will be a lifelong journey.”
For decades, Carla's case remained unsolved. But in 2021, 46 years after her murder, her killer was identified, convicted and brought to justice thanks to advances in DNA technology.
“It’s freeing,” Jim said. “You know, it’s not gonna bring Carla back, but it was freeing.”
Now, Jim Walker has a new purpose: helping other families find closure.
On Thursday, U.S. Senator John Cornyn officially introduced the Carla Walker Act, legislation that would provide federal funding to support the same advanced DNA analysis to solve more cold cases nationwide.
“The Carla Walker Act is going to be a game-changer,” Jim told WFAA.
The law aims to equip law enforcement agencies across the country with the tools and resources necessary to crack cases that have remained unsolved for years — or even decades.
“It’s a very, very bad day to be a bad guy,” Jim added. “Because you’re gonna get caught now. It’s no longer if; it’s when.”
“I hope [Carla's] proud,” Jim continued. “I hope she knows her loss was a hole that would never be filled and that we never forgot. We never gave up.”
The Carla Walker Act could help countless families finally find answers and justice, Jim said, this holiday season and beyond.