Sarah Rafique
She works closely with reporters to turn daily and long-term investigations that rely on government documents, open records requests and data analysis. She understands the importance of asking tough questions, holding local and state leaders accountable and amplifying voices of marginalized communities.
Sarah strives to not only uncover local issues, but also provide solutions and results for viewers.
Prior to joining KTRK, Sarah worked as an investigative reporter at KXAN, her hometown station in Austin, where she received three Lone Star Regional Emmys. Her investigation into improper billing by the state's TxTag program resulted in the Texas Department of Transportation cutting ties with its collection agency and waiving $1.3 billion in late fees for drivers.
Sarah is a first-generation American and Texas native, who previously worked for newspapers covering Fort Hood and West Texas.
Have a story that needs investigating? Or looking to share documents anonymously? Contact Sarah at Sarah.X.Rafique@abc.com or send a tip to the 13 Investigates team.
Sarah's Stories
13 Investigates: New HPD police chief inherits same old staffing problem
Houston Mayor John Whitmire wants new acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite to focus on recruiting and retaining officers, as well as boosting morale.
13 Investigates: HPD Chief Finner was emailed about suspended code in 2018
13 Investigates has obtained a 2018 email that calls into question when Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner first heard a case was suspended due to lack of staff.
HPD review of suspended code lands charge for Turkey Leg Hut co-founder
13 Investigates now knows at least 50 suspects were charged as police revisit these cases, including a misdemeanor assault charge against Turkey Leg Hut co-founder Lyndell Price from an incident earlier this year.
13 Investigates: Victim says HPD only now 'hungry for information' in suspended cases
13 Investigates spoke with the victim of a 2019 alleged aggravated assault sidelined by Houston police, who just recently filed charges against a suspect.
13 Investigates: Postal union says packages at risk as 600 USPS workers robbed last year
13 Investigates speaks with a Houston postal worker who was robbed of his mail key. Our investigation found he's among 600 carriers robbed last year alone in the U.S.
13 Investigates: Rape victim finally contacted by HPD 5 years after assault says 'we matter'
13 Investigates has new details about concerns over how Houston police handled crucial DNA evidence in suspended sexual assault cases.
13 Investigates: HPD chief says 900 sidelined sex crimes had workable leads
Chief Troy Finner said the Houston Police Department has reviewed a third of all incident reports that were suspended due to lack of staff.
EXCLUSIVE: 13 Investigates gets first look at how, why HPD's suspended code began
13 Investigates has obtained a July 2021 letter detailing why and how the Houston Police Department started using the controversial code suspending cases for lack of personnel.
Houston Police chief says staffing still an issue as investigation into suspended cases continues
Houston Police chief says the department remains understaffed as investigation into more than 260,000 suspended incident reports continues.
13 Investigates talks with HPD leader who tried to warn chief of suspended code
13 Investigates spoke with an HPD deputy director who said she was in a meeting with Chief Troy Finner in November 2021, when he first learned cases were being suspended due to lack of personnel.