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A Man Murdered a Mom Walking Her Girl to School in 1998. Today, the Killer Remains Free and the Daughter Lives with the Memory.

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Source: Unsplash; Houston police

Mar. 20 2024, Published 10:01 a.m. ET

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A mom was walking her daughter to school when a killer ran and shot her dead in front of the child. Why remains a mystery. More importantly, who would commit murder in front of a child remains unknown.

Today, police and the victim’s family still don’t have those answers.

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On Oct. 25, 1998, Peggy Lynn Howard was leaving her Houston condominium with her 6-year-old daughter. They were on their way to school when Howard was shot twice.

Houston police said witnesses heard the gunshots and saw a young Hispanic man running from the scene into a parking lot. He then got into the passenger seat of a car and fled the area.

Howard’s daughter saw the entire incident.

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The victim was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

In 2018, Howard’s daughter, Allyssa Wild, told KHOU about the day and the hunt for the killer. She said when her mom was shot, she ran to hide under her mom’s car. Then without a word, the suspect left.

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“At that point, I remember panicking and running up and down the sidewalk, knocking on people’s doors, knocking and screaming for help,” Wild said.

Investigators learned that Howard’s husband tried to kill her in Florida years earlier, according to KHOU. But he was in prison in Florida at the time of her death.

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Because of the getaway car, police believed the killing was planned. Though now the case has gone cold.

“I want to know why. Was it jealousy? Was it spite? Were you paid?” Wild told KHOU.

Authorities still hope to solve the case and anyone with information is asked to contact police at (800) 252-8477.

The shooter is described as a Hispanic man with slim build. He wore a purple and green sports “Starter” jacket and a dark baseball cap. He was between 5-foot- and 5-foot-2-inches tall.

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