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William Reece charged in 1997 disappearance, death of Kelli Ann Cox

William Reece is seen in this undated mugshot.

ANGLETON, Texas – After nearly two decades, charges have been filed against a man accused of killing several young girls and women in the late 90s.

William Reece was indicted by a Brazoria County grand jury on a charge of capital murder in connection with the kidnapping and killing of Kelli Ann Cox, 20.

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Cox disappeared from Denton in July of 1997.

DOCUMENT: Capital murder indictment of William Reece

In April 2016, investigators said Reece led them to the spot where Cox was buried in a field just outside of Angleton.

Prior to Friday's indictment, Reece was indicted in the 1997 slayings of Jessica Cain and Laura Smither in Galveston County.

PHOTOS: Women who investigators believe William Reece killed

Reece is currently awaiting trial in Oklahoma in the 1997 death of Tiffany Johnston. He faces the possibility of the death penalty in that case.

Following a trial in Oklahoma, Reece will be brought back to Galveston County to face trial for Smither’s and Cain’s murders.

These cases were unsolved until early 2016, when Reece began speaking with investigators and, according to his attorney at the time, was “willing to accept responsibility” for the crimes.

Detectives said Reece also led them to a plot of land in southeast Houston, where Cain’s body was finally recovered.


About the Authors
Robert Arnold headshot

Award winning investigative journalist who joined KPRC 2 in July 2000. Husband and father of the Master of Disaster and Chaos Gremlin. “I don’t drink coffee to wake up, I wake up to drink coffee.”

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