UTA Students Help Crack 1991 Cold Case — Arrest Made in Cynthia Gonzalez Killing

UTA students prompt arrest in 34-year-old cold case

The Arlington Police Department announced that U.S. Marshals arrested 63-year-old Janie Perkins on Nov. 6 in Azle, Texas. Perkins faces one count of capital murder in connection with the 1991 death of 25-year-old Cynthia Gonzalez.

Police say Gonzalez, described in records as an "adult entertainer," was last seen leaving her home on Sept. 17, 1991, to meet a client. Her car was found abandoned hours later, and on Sept. 22 her body — shot multiple times and in an advanced state of decomposition — was discovered on private property in rural Johnson County.

Despite leads at the time, the case remained unsolved for decades. This fall, the University of Texas at Arlington's Criminology & Criminal Justice department launched a partnership with the Arlington Police Department in which selected students examined real cold-case files and associated documentation (physical evidence remained with APD).

After reviewing as many as 500 files, students noticed connections between Gonzalez and Perkins: they were acquaintances who had shared a romantic partner. Weeks before Gonzalez's death, that partner allegedly told Perkins they were ending their relationship to be with Gonzalez. Perkins reportedly had no alibi for the night Gonzalez disappeared and failed two voluntary polygraph exams when questioned about her knowledge of the crime. Records also included statements attributed to Perkins expressing relief at Gonzalez's death and admitting she had considered killing her or arranging for someone else to do so.

Earlier in 2024 a homicide detective reviewed the file and concluded there were no new leads. After students raised questions, detectives re-examined witness statements and compared them with the investigative record and physical evidence. According to APD, investigators found consistency between the witness statements and case evidence and concluded Perkins either participated in or facilitated Gonzalez's kidnapping and murder.

Police Chief Al Jones: "When we launched our cold case partnership with UTA, we always hoped we'd get an outcome like this one day. I want to sincerely thank the students for their work and dedication to this case."

Gonzalez's daughter, Jessica Roberts — who was six when her mother was killed — said she was stunned by the development and expressed gratitude to the students. "I am so grateful for this program and so proud of these students at UTA and so thankful for the time they have spent and the effort they have put in to this case," she said at a news conference.

The same class is now reviewing two other cold cases. Perkins's attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.