$100,000 reward offered in 34-year-old murder case

Friday afternoon, OSBI Director Stan Florence revealed new information about the 34-year-old homicide of OU student Tracey Neilson.

Neilson was stabbed to death inside her Moore apartment, Jamestown Square Apartments, January 5, 1981 – her 21st birthday.

Moore police responded to the scene and requested OSBI assistance the next day. OSBI agents and Moore police detectives have run more than 1,600 leads in the past 34 years. None of the leads has produced a viable suspect.

Director Florence revealed to the public a piece of evidence the killer likely took and may still have — Neilson’s tortoise-shell colored, plastic key ring. OSBI Forensic Artist Harvey Pratt drew a sketch of its likeness based upon a description given by Neilson’s sister. The keychain was approximately 1” wide by 4” long with Tracey spelled in capital block letters. If anyone has seen a keychain similar to the one in the sketch, please call the OSBI hotline number – 1-800-522-8017.

Also released to the public during Friday’s press conference were crime scene photographs. The pictures take you inside the apartment to see what Neilson was doing moments before her death. She had just returned home from running errands and was ironing a shirt while watching television. Investigators believe she was killed around noon.

A cable ticket book with the location of Neilson’s apartment and date and time of her killing was revealed six months ago. Agents have since learned that ticket book came from a Southwestern Bell telephone repairman. However, the specific repairman has not been identified.

Up to a $100,000 reward is now available to anyone who can help solve this case. Most of that reward money is coming from Neilson’s family.

The number to call with information is 1-800-522-8017. That number will go to an OSBI dispatcher who can direct calls to an agent.