Cold case warms up: La Porte man charged in 2002 double murder
LA PORTE, TX (KTRK) -- La Porte investigators made an arrest Thursday in Falfurrias, TX, that police say may have put a 12-year-old cold case to rest.
John Anthony Vela, 37, a longtime resident of La Porte, was arrested and charged for the 2002 murders of Kevin Collins and Melissa Williams. Police say he was the prime suspect since early in the investigation.
Collins and Williams were found stabbed to death on September 27, 2002, at their home in the 2900 block of Ivy in La Porte.
La Porte authorities continued to investigate the case through the years and were finally able to obtain a warrant for Vela's arrest.
It's unclear at this time what may have linked Vela to the murders.
Police found Vela in Falfurrias. After his arrest, he was sent back to La Porte and charged with capital murder.
