05/01/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 May 2026
SILSBEE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 1988 COLD CASE MURDER OF CAROLINE SUSAN BOLEN SOLVED THROUGH DNA AND FORENSIC GENEALOGY
On July 28, 1988, officers with the Silsbee Police Department were dispatched to a residence located at 1280 Cooks Road in Silsbee, Texas. When officers arrived, the deceased body of 26-year-old Caroline Susan Bolen was discovered inside her home. The initial investigation revealed that Ms. Bolen had been brutally sexually assaulted and murdered by an unknown suspect. Tragically, her six-year-old son was left alone inside the residence with his deceased mother after the assailant left the scene.
Despite extensive investigative efforts and the development of initial leads, the case eventually went “cold;” however, it remained open and under periodic review.
In 2019, the case was reassigned to Investigator Justin Holt of the Silsbee Police Department’s Special Assignment Unit. During the same time, the case was also being actively reviewed by Texas Ranger Brandon Bess with the Texas Rangers Co. “A” Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program (UCIP). The investigators from the two agencies collaborated and began a comprehensive re-examination of the case, including the collection and reanalysis of physical evidence, as well as evaluating advancements in forensic technology.
In August 2022, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory in Houston successfully developed a DNA profile from biological evidence recovered at the scene, including blood found beneath the victim’s fingernails and other biological evidence recovered during the autopsy. The DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS); however, no matches were identified.
Investigators then pursued advanced forensic genealogy as a means of identifying a suspect. DNA evidence was submitted to Othram Inc., a forensic laboratory specializing in genetic genealogy located at 2829 Technology Forest Blvd Suite 140, The Woodlands, Texas 77381.
Funding for this effort was made possible through two grants provided by Season of Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting unresolved violent crime investigations.
Othram Inc. was able to build an extensive profile based off the suspect’s DNA profile developed by the Texas DPS Crime Lab and began compiling leads based on the suspect’s family genealogy. Ranger Brandon Bess, Ranger Chris Perkins, and Silsbee PD SAU Investigator Justin Holt began sifting through these leads from forensic genealogy analysis which eventually led investigators to identifying Bolen’s killer as Allen Wayne Mosley (white/male, DOB 08/07/1960).
Allen Wayne Mosley resided at 106 Woodward Lane in Silsbee, Texas, which is located on a nearby street that ran adjacent to the victim’s residence at the time of the assault and murder. At the time of the offense, Mosley was on court ordered supervision for a prior “rape” charge in Jasper County, Texas which involved the stranger abduction of a minor.
Based on investigation, it is believed that Mosley travelled to the victim’s home in the early morning hours of July 28, 1988. It was reported that the victim heard Mosley arrive at her home and she thought that it was her boyfriend, as she had visited his home earlier that evening. Mosley is believed to have forced his way into the home upon the victim coming to the door, where he then sexually assaulted Ms. Bolen, with her 6-year-old child present, before ultimately killing her by asphyxiation as she resisted, leaving behind critical biological evidence.
Witness information, from the time, indicated that a male subject matching Mosley’s description was observed leaving the residence the following morning. Mosley reportedly allowed a family member to drive his vehicle to Galveston the same morning, removing its presence from the area. It was learned that Mosley and his family relocated to Oklahoma after the killing of Bolen.
On August 22, 2006, while living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mosley took his own life, via self-inflicted gunshot, after an argument with his spouse.
During the course of this recent investigation, Mosley’s family members have been cooperative with investigators. It is believed that family members were unaware of Mosley’s crimes. Additional information obtained during the investigation has revealed multiple additional allegations of sexual assault involving at least three underage victims connected to Mosley.
While the suspect is deceased, investigators hope, and pray, that this resolution brings a measure of closure to the family and loved ones of Caroline Bolen after nearly four decades.
Special Acknowledgements:
The Silsbee Police Department is extremely proud of the time, dedication, and excellent work that SAU Investigator Justin Holt has put forth toward this case. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose dedication made this resolution possible:
- Original Investigators and Texas Rangers- While limited on the technology of their time, the initial collection of evidence and investigation was precise and critical to the outcome of this case.
- Texas Ranger Brandon Bess – Despite his retirement, Ranger Bess has remained a crucial and dedicated investigator in this case, seeing it through to the end. Ranger Bess’ relentless dedication to both the tedious review of the casework, as well as staying abreast of new technologies which made the breakthrough in this case possible, was paramount to helping solve this case and bring it to a close. Ranger Bess and Silsbee PD SAU Investigator Holt spent many long days and hours traveling across the State of Texas following leads, examining evidence and conducting interviews. Silsbee PD is grateful for the tenacious dedication, determination and unique investigative abilities of Ranger Bess and his partnership in this case.
- Texas Ranger Chris Perkins – Ranger Perkins jumped straight into the Bolen case, alongside Silsbee PD and Ranger Bess, upon his assignment to Texas Rangers Co. “A” UCIP. Ranger Perkins spent many hours traveling the State of Texas examining new evidence, following leads and conducting interviews. His dedication to this case has helped bring an end to the almost four-decade search for answers for the Bolen family. Silsbee PD is grateful for the dedication of Ranger Perkins and his partnership in this case.
- Season of Justice – Season of Justice (SOJ) is a nonprofit dedicated to providing funding for investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases. SOJ provides grants for advanced DNA analysis solutions, such as forensic genealogy and next-generation sequencing, for investigative agencies in an effort to solve complex cases. SOJ not only assisted in funding through one grant, but two grants, which enabled investigators to finally solve the Bolen case. SOJ’s role was paramount to moving forward with this investigation and worked seamlessly with Othram Inc. Silsbee PD is extremely grateful for their contributions and cannot speak highly enough of SOJ and their staff.
- Texas DPS Houston Crime Lab – Their incredible contribution of developing a suspect DNA profile from the remaining biological evidence directly contributed to solving this case. Specific credit is warranted for forensic scientists Tanya Dean, Shauna Joseph and Sitka Patnaik, who personally dedicated their time and skills to the Bolen case.
- Othram Inc – Othram’s specialized process helped bring investigators the important information which allowed a suspect to be identified. The staff at Othram Inc. was incredible to work with throughout their involvement. Silsbee PD is extremely grateful for their dedication and contribution in identifying genealogy suspect leads which ultimately assisted investigators in solving this case.
- Family and Friends – Year after year, friends and family of Ms. Bolen stayed in contact with Silsbee PD and Texas Rangers. On behalf of all the Investigators involved in this case, we would like to extend our gratitude to each and every one of these special individuals for their unwavering support, persistence, and commitment to seeking justice for Ms. Bolen.
The Silsbee Police Department remains committed to pursuing justice in all cases, regardless of the passage of time. This case serves as a reminder that advancements in technology, combined with perseverance and collaboration, can bring answers – even decades later.
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