The Brutal 1987 Murder of Roxsan Wood: Cold Case Solved After Decades | True Crime Investigation
The quiet town of Niles, Michigan was forever changed on February 19, 1987, when 30-year-old Roxsan Wood was brutally murdered in her home. After spending an evening at a local bowling alley with her husband Terry, Roxsan left early to go home while Terry stayed behind. When he arrived home approximately 45 minutes later, Terry discovered his wife on the kitchen floor with her throat slashed, leading to a frantic call to local police.
The investigation quickly faced numerous challenges. Despite the presence of DNA evidence from a sexual assault, technology limitations of the time prevented investigators from making progress. The case went cold for decades, causing immense frustration for Roxsan's family who described her as their "rock" - a loving, stylish woman who cared deeply for her siblings after their parents' divorce. It wasn't until modern DNA analysis techniques and the dedication of students, investigators, and a genetic genealogist that hope for resolution finally emerged.
Key Takeaways
A brutal 1987 murder in small-town Niles left a community fearful and a family devastated for decades.
Despite DNA evidence from the crime scene, technological limitations of the era caused the investigation to go cold.
The combined efforts of students organizing case files, investigators revisiting evidence, and advanced genetic genealogy eventually provided new hope for justice.
The Tragic Homicide in Niles
Finding Roxan Wood's Body
In February 1987, the quiet town of Niles was shaken by a brutal murder that left residents locking their doors at night and parents worried about their children's safety. Roxan Wood, known to loved ones as "Rock," was a 30-year-old woman described as tall, fashionable, and someone who made everyone feel special. She had married Terry Wood after meeting him when he was still on the high school wrestling team.
The couple had been experiencing typical marriage challenges, with Roxan eventually taking a job in South Bend, Indiana to create some healthy space in their relationship. This change seemed to improve things between them, and they were reportedly considering starting a family soon.
Terry's Devastating Find
On Thursday evening, February 19, 1987, Roxan and Terry went to dinner in downtown Niles before heading to a local bowling alley in separate vehicles. Around midnight, Roxan decided to head home while Terry chose to stay for another game with his league.
Approximately 45 minutes after Roxan departed, Terry arrived at their home. Upon entering through the garage, he encountered a horrific scene: Roxan lying on the kitchen floor in her nightgown, surrounded by a pool of blood. Her throat had been slashed, and her undergarments were pulled down to her ankles with her nightgown pushed up, indicating a sexual assault had occurred.
Terry approached his wife's body and lifted her head to check for signs of life, finding none.
Emergency Response and Initial Investigation
Terry immediately called the local police station, his voice alternating between panic and aggression. During the call, he repeatedly shouted phrases like "My wife has been murdered!" while sometimes becoming belligerent with the dispatcher who was attempting to gather information.
Notable behavior during the emergency call:
Extreme emotional outbursts
Periods of anger toward the dispatcher
Demands for police to hurry
When officers arrived at the scene, Terry's behavior continued to raise concerns among investigators. His fits of rage escalated to the point where police placed him in a patrol car to calm the situation. When taken to the police station for routine questioning, Terry quickly requested an attorney, further heightening investigators' suspicions.
One detective reportedly told Terry directly: "You did this and I will not rest until I put you away forever." Despite these early suspicions, the case would prove difficult to solve with the forensic technology available at the time, despite the presence of DNA evidence from the assailant.
Case Background
Roxan Wood's Personal Life
Roxan Wood, affectionately known as "Rock" to her family, was a striking presence in her community. Tall and elegant, she maintained an impeccable appearance and dressed with remarkable class. Following her parents' divorce, she stepped into a maternal role for her younger siblings, providing stability and support during challenging times.
Her sister Janet particularly valued this relationship, noting that Roxan was the consistent presence in her life while they experienced the typical shuffling between households that often accompanies divorce. Roxan's warm personality and exceptional social skills made everyone feel valued in her presence.
The Woods' Marriage
Roxan and Terry Wood's relationship began when she was working at his father's company. Though Roxan had already completed high school, Terry was still a student and wrestler. She was immediately attracted to him, particularly noting his athletic physique.
The couple married in 1982 in what Roxan described as the happiest day of her life. Both worked at the family business, which created an unusual dynamic - they spent nearly every moment together, from dressing in the morning to commuting, lunch breaks, and returning home. To create some healthy separation, Roxan eventually took a position in South Bend, Indiana, which reportedly improved their marital satisfaction. They were content and discussing starting a family.
Events of the Fatal Night
On Thursday, February 19, 1987, Roxan and Terry Wood followed their typical routine with dinner at a Niles restaurant after work. They then proceeded to a local bowling alley, arriving in separate vehicles. Roxan's presence was notable at the primarily male bowling league event.
Timeline of the evening:
Roxan and Terry dine together after work
They proceed to bowling alley in separate cars
Around midnight, Roxan decides to leave
The couple exchanges affectionate goodbyes
Terry remains to bowl another game
Terry arrives home approximately 45 minutes after Roxan
Upon entering through the garage, Terry discovers Roxan on the floor in her nightgown
He observes significant blood and evidence of sexual assault
Terry calls police, displaying unusual agitation during the call
First responders eventually place Terry in a patrol car due to his aggressive behavior
When taken for questioning, Terry quickly requests an attorney
Investigators noted Terry's behavior as potentially suspicious, particularly his angry outbursts during the emergency call, which differed from typical shock reactions they observed in similar situations.
Investigation Challenges
Initial Evidence and Limited Leads
The brutal murder of Roxan Wood in 1987 quickly became a challenging case for investigators in the small town of Niles. When Terry Wood discovered his wife lying in a pool of blood, the crime scene offered few immediate clues about the perpetrator. Despite the violent nature of the attack, with Roxan suffering severe neck wounds and evidence of sexual assault, investigators struggled to identify potential suspects or establish a clear motive. The case lacked witnesses and tangible leads that could point to who might have committed such a heinous crime against someone described by family as having no enemies.
The case files eventually grew to contain approximately 3,500 pages of documentation, which itself presented a challenge. Without proper organization, investigators faced the daunting task of sifting through mountains of information. This organizational challenge was later addressed when Western Michigan University students became involved in digitizing and indexing the files, allowing for keyword searches that proved "hugely important" to later investigators.
DNA Evidence Limitations
The most significant obstacle in solving Roxan Wood's murder stemmed from technological limitations of the time. While investigators recovered DNA evidence from the sexual assault, forensic technology in 1987 simply wasn't advanced enough to effectively utilize this crucial piece of evidence. The sample itself presented additional challenges, described by genetic genealogist Gabriella Vargas as "28 picograms" - an amount so microscopically small it was "a speck of a speck of a speck" invisible to the naked eye.
This tiny DNA sample remained preserved but underutilized for years, with the case being deemed "unsolvable" by some. The limitations of early DNA technology essentially forced the investigation into a cold case status despite having what would later prove to be the most critical evidence. Only decades later, when advanced genetic techniques became available, could forensic experts like Vargas finally extract usable information from this minuscule sample.
Terry Wood's Behavior and Questioning
Terry Wood's conduct following the discovery of his wife's body raised immediate suspicion among law enforcement. During his emergency call, Terry exhibited unexpected aggression toward the dispatcher who was attempting to gather information and send help. His belligerent tone and fits of rage struck investigators as unusual compared to typical reactions of shock and distress they normally observed in similar situations.
Detective Sergeant Jason Bailey noted that this "abnormal reaction" made Terry appear suspicious. The situation escalated when first responders arrived, with Terry's aggressive behavior eventually requiring officers to place him in a patrol car to calm him down. When taken to the police station for routine questioning, Terry quickly requested an attorney - another action that raised red flags for investigators. This led to one detective directly accusing Terry within minutes of the interview: "You did this and I will not rest until I put you away forever." These behavioral concerns complicated the investigation from its earliest stages.
Pursuing Justice
Cold Case Investigation
The 1987 murder of Roxsan Wood in Niles shocked the small town, leaving residents fearful and locking their doors at night. When Terry Wood returned home from bowling, he discovered his wife bleeding profusely on the kitchen floor. Despite immediate police response, the case went cold quickly. The limited DNA technology available at the time couldn't process the small amount of evidence left by the assailant. For the Wood family, this began decades of waiting for answers.
The investigation faced significant challenges from the start. Roxsan had been sexually assaulted, and while the perpetrator left DNA evidence, investigators lacked the technological capabilities to properly analyze it. Family members described their frustration as "beyond overwhelming" as years passed without an arrest.
Academic Partnership
Western Michigan University students played a crucial role in revitalizing the dormant investigation. Dr. Ashlin Kirsten initiated a Cold Case project, involving students in organizing and digitizing the massive case file. The students faced a daunting task—the documentation was older than many of them and comprised approximately 3,500 pages of information.
The students spent countless hours scanning and categorizing evidence, creating a searchable database where investigators could find information using keywords. This organizational system proved "hugely important" to moving the case forward. Their meticulous work transformed an overwhelming paper file into an accessible digital resource that allowed new investigators to quickly review the evidence.
DNA Breakthrough
Genetic genealogist Gabriella Vargas brought specialized expertise to the investigation. Working with an extraordinarily small DNA sample—just 28 picograms, described as "a speck of a speck of a speck"—Vargas applied advanced techniques to a case previously deemed unsolvable.
Motivated by the Wood family's unwavering hope for justice, Vargas worked diligently to process the minute DNA evidence. The family maintained a Facebook page throughout the years, with Janet Wood often posting messages like "Rock, one day" to keep her sister's memory alive. When breakthrough results finally came, Vargas could triumphantly respond: "Today's your day, Rock, today's your day."
The persistence of the family, combined with student contributions and cutting-edge genetic analysis, finally brought forward movement to a case that had remained unsolved for decades despite Terry Wood's suspicious behavior during the initial investigation.
Family's Unwavering Resolve
The Profound Legacy of Roxie Wood
Roxie Wood's murder in 1987 drastically altered the small town of Niles, Michigan. Children who grew up there began locking their doors at night, with fear lingering in the community for decades. The brutal nature of her killing left an indelible mark on the town's collective consciousness.
Family members remember Roxie as the backbone of their family unit. Her sister Janet often described her as "the rock," a stabilizing presence who stepped into a maternal role for her siblings after their parents divorced. Beyond her family circle, Roxie carried herself with grace and poise, often described as statuesque and elegant, always impeccably dressed.
Key Traits Family Members Recall:
Maternal figure to younger siblings
Consistent, reliable presence
Elegant and poised
Loving and supportive
The Family's Struggle with Grief
The shocking discovery of Roxie's murder devastated her family. Brad Wood, just 14 years old when his sister was killed, recalls the moment with painful clarity. "I was getting ready for school and I can remember my mom pounding on the bathroom door saying to hurry up," he recounts. When he emerged, his mother delivered the unimaginable news that Roxie had been killed.
The lack of resolution compounded the family's suffering. For years, they lived with the knowledge that their loved one's killer remained free. Janet Wood expressed her frustration as the case grew cold, admitting she began to lose hope as time passed without answers.
The emotional weight carried by the family manifested in their determination to keep Roxie's memory alive. Despite the passing years, they maintained a Facebook page dedicated to finding justice for her, refusing to let her case be forgotten.
The Family's Journey Toward Justice
The Wood family never surrendered their quest for answers. Their persistent advocacy kept Roxie's case from disappearing into the files of unsolved crimes. Through their dedicated Facebook page, they continued sharing memories and pushing for investigation updates.
Janet Wood's poignant social media posts reflected their undying hope. One particular post simply stated, "Rock, one day," expressing her belief that justice would eventually come. This steadfast faith proved crucial in keeping the case active.
The family's determination inspired numerous professionals working on the case:
Western Michigan University students who organized 3,500 pages of case files
Detectives who continued revisiting evidence
Genetic genealogist Gabriella Vargas, who cited the family as her motivation
When breakthroughs finally came, the emotional release was profound. The moment justice arrived, Janet recalled screaming, "Today's your day, Rock! Today's your day!" - a powerful testament to their decades-long journey seeking closure for their beloved Roxie.
Uncovering the Truth and Finding Answers
Finding Access to Files and Creating Order
The investigation into Roxan Wood's murder case initially seemed overwhelming. When researchers first accessed the case file, they encountered an incredible amount of data—approximately 3,500 pages of documents spanning decades. Some records were older than the investigators themselves. This massive collection of information required significant organization to become useful.
Students from Western Michigan University played a crucial role in transforming these scattered documents into searchable files. They spent countless hours scanning and categorizing each page, creating a digital system that allowed investigators to search using keywords. Their organizational efforts transformed what had been an intimidating mass of paperwork into an accessible resource.
This meticulous work proved invaluable to the investigation. When later investigators requested access to the case file, they could quickly review the information thanks to the students' organizational system. The digital format allowed them to efficiently process what would have otherwise taken months to read through manually.
Finding DNA Answers Through Expertise
Gabriella Vargas, a highly respected genetic genealogist, brought specialized skills to the investigation. Despite her informal self-description as "a pink-haired tattooed mom from California who enjoys woodworking and gardening," her expertise proved essential to solving the long-cold case.
The DNA evidence available was extraordinarily limited—just 28 picograms, an amount so tiny it couldn't be seen with the naked eye. As Vargas described it, it was "a speck of a speck of a speck." This minuscule sample had previously led investigators to declare the case unsolvable.
Vargas approached the challenge with determination, motivated by the Wood family's decades-long wait for justice. Her advanced techniques and persistence with the microscopic sample ultimately led to the breakthrough that had eluded investigators for years.
Providing Peace for the Family
The Wood family had maintained hope for decades that their beloved "Rock" would receive justice. They created a Facebook page dedicated to keeping Roxan's memory alive and the case in the public eye. Janet Wood, Roxan's sister, regularly posted messages of hope, including "Rock one day."
When the breakthrough finally came, investigators were able to contact the family with the news they'd waited 38 years to hear. The moment was powerful and emotional—a day of vindication after decades of uncertainty. Instead of "one day," as Janet had hoped for in her posts, they could finally say "today's your day, Rock."
The resolution brought a measure of peace to those who had carried the weight of this unsolved murder for so long. Brad Woods, who was only 14 when his sister was killed, and Janet Wood, who had looked up to Roxan as a maternal figure, could finally begin to close this painful chapter. The breakthrough validated their refusal to let Roxan's case fade from memory and their persistence in seeking answers.
