Killing of Preston Bouldin in Texas in 1953

Incident

Case summary

Preston Bouldin, 21, a police informer, was found dead near railroad tracks in 1953 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Bouldin’s face was covered in blood, suggesting he had been struck in the head, and his “spine was severed at the base of the skull by a blunt instrument.” Several residents acquainted with Bouldin told investigators they saw him gambling with friends hours before his body was discovered. A 2009 FBI investigation was ultimately closed as the investigators determined there was “insufficient evidence to establish that Bolden’s death was a racially-motivated homicide [and] insufficient evidence to establish any federal jurisdiction.”

Victim(s):

Date of incident: 1953-05-07
Location: San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: [ ]

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Investigated under the Emmett Till Act: yes
Document(s):
death certificates - closed
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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