After more than three decades, a long-standing cold case has been cracked, leading to the arrest of a 61-year-old Texas man in connection with the brutal 1994 stabbing death of his 29-year-old neighbor, Megan Johns. Darryl Goggans, who lived next door to Johns at the time of her murder, was taken into custody on June 10 and charged with capital murder.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a case that has haunted the Irving Police Department for 31 years.
“Thirty years, eight months, and six days is how much time has passed since Megan Johns was brutally murdered on October 5, 1994,” the Irving Police Department stated. “Today, we are proud to announce that an arrest has been made, and the Irving Police Department will be able to see this case through to its conclusion and deliver justice for Megan and her family.”
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Megan Johns was found deceased in her Irving apartment on October 5, 1994, after failing to show up for work. The apartment manager discovered her body on the living room floor, bearing multiple stab wounds. Investigators at the time noted no signs of forced entry, suggesting Johns likely knew her attacker and allowed them into her home.
The scene also indicated the home had been ransacked, leading detectives to believe the suspect was either searching for something or that Johns had valiantly fought for her life.
Police noted Johns’ past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, but she had reportedly achieved sobriety before her death. At the time of the murder, she was actively involved in helping others on their path to recovery and was frequently in the company of individuals with histories of substance abuse.
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Despite finding a palm print at the scene and conducting numerous interviews, the initial investigation yielded no arrests, and the case eventually went cold.
The turning point came recently when investigators revisited the evidence, utilizing modern forensic techniques. DNA found at the crime scene was tested and the resulting profile entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
This critical step led authorities to identify Darryl Goggans as the primary suspect. Goggans’ residency next to Johns in 1994 placed him in close proximity to the victim at the time of the crime.
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Goggans is currently being held in the Irving City Jail, facing a charge of capital murder. The arrest brings a glimmer of hope for justice to Megan Johns’ family, who have waited for answers for over three decades.
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