Twenty years ago last Thursday the body of a 15-year-old Rockdale girl was found in a drainage ditch south of Taylor. Three weeks earlier, on Feb. 19, 1999, Sonya Wallace had walked the four blocks from her home to the Rockdale Post Office to mail a letter to a friend. She never came back. And that represents almost the sum total of what’s publicly known in the case, which investigators say has grown cold, but not forgotten. It’s still listed on the Milam County CrimeStoppers website under “unsolved crimes.” And Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody said his Specialized Cold Case Unit continues to seek information about Wallace’s disappearance and death. In September, 2018, Chody directed that unit to take a closer look at the case. FALSE LEAD—In 1999, Investigators quickly determined Wallace had been the victim of a homicide, due to a blunt wound to the head. They said the body had been at the site, near the Williamson-Lee County line, for an extended period. In initially following up leads, investigators found an 18-year-old Taylor man had been arrested late the previous year on charges involving Wallace. But the man had been in jail since mid-December, meaning he was incarcerated at the time of Wallace’s disappearance and death. Williamson County CrimeStoppers offered a $2,000 reward for information on Wallace’s death. In December, 1999, the Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Foundation offered a $5,000 reward, also for information on the teen’s death. That organization was disbanded several years ago and no longer offers such rewards. In 2001, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department again asked the public for help, citing “new developments” in the case, which were not revealed. RHS—Wallace lived in the Taylor area most of her life.
She had come to Taylor from Thrall in October 1997 and enrolled in Taylor High School.
Wallace transferred to Rockdale High School for her sophomore year (1998-99) but had apparently withdrawn from RHS just before her death.
She was daughter of Linda Flores and Donald Wallace who, at the time of their daughter’s death, were living in Rockdale and Thorndale, respectively.
Five years ago, classmate Joshua Pope told The Reporter he remembered Sonya well, after all those years.
“She was such a sweet girl who always had a smile and was liked by everyone,” he said. “Hopefully we can make a difference and get justice for Sonya.”
Since the case remains open, tips on the disappearance and death of Sonya Christene Wallace are still being accepted by the following:
• Milam County CrimeStoppers, 1-888-697-TIPS (8477).
• Williamson County CrimeStoppers, 1-800-253-7867.
• Milam County Sheriff’s Department, 1-254-697-7033.
• Williamson County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Unit, 1-512-943-5204.
• Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, 1-512-943-1300.
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