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Search warrant served at home of man indicted in ‘Texas Killing Fields’ murders

HOUSTON – On Thursday morning, authorities served a search warrant at the Bacliff home of James Elmore, the man who has been indicted in connection with two of the four “Texas Killing Fields” murders.

Around 6 a.m., deputies with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant at the home where Elmore was living.

This comes after Elmore, 61, was charged with three felonies related to the 1986 deaths of Laura Miller and Audrey Cook earlier this month. His bond was set for $1.5 million in the manslaughter case and an additional $1.5 million for two tampering with evidence charges.

Authorities told KPRC 2 Investigates Robert Arnold that the search warrant is related to the deaths of Laura Miller and Audrey Cook, and they were searching for evidence.

Prosecutors allege Elmore helped longtime suspect Clyde Edwin Hedrick conceal the women’s remains and prepared a vial of cocaine that Hedrick allegedly administered to Miller, killing her.

OUR FIRST REPORT: Man accused of helping dispose of 2 bodies in ‘Texas Killing Fields’ murders arrested

Hedrick died by suicide in March, officials confirmed to KPRC 2.

“He was taken to the hospital for some breathing issues on Friday, and due to some of his other health issues, he was placed on a ventilator Friday. On Saturday, he removed that ventilator,” said prosecutor Kate Willis.

The district attorney’s office was preparing to seek capital murder charges against Hedrick.

RELATED: Galveston officials say ‘significant headway’ has been made in unsolved ‘Texas Killing Fields’ case after new arrest

James Elmore (KPRC 2)

A trial date for Elmore is set for August 24, 2026.

KPRC 2 Investigates has covered the Texas Killing Fields for years, documenting the decades-long hunt for answers in its four-part docuseries, “The Evidence Room.”