Debra Baker cold case marks 24 years

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Twenty-four years to the day Debra Baker was killed in Northwest Austin, police continue their work on cracking the cold murder case.

Baker was killed Jan. 13, 1988, and police still need help solving the murder.

And while it happened nearly a quarter of a century ago, Baker's daughter, Caitlin, never forgets.

From her Facebook page:

"Today is the 24th anniversary of my mom's murder. I hope everyone will take a moment today to remind someone that you care about them. You may not have always have another chance.

Today, instead than mourning what I've lost, I'm grateful for what I still have. I come from a family of strong and supportive people. I have good health, great friends, and an awesome job. There is sadness today but I have no doubt my mother would rather hear us all laughing than crying.

Get your laughter on, for Debra Baker."

Police think Mark Norwood may be linked to the case but they need more evidence. He lived in Baker's neighborhood in the 1400 block of Justin Lane at the time and worked as a carpet layer. Norwood was arrested for two home break-ins and a car burglary a year before Baker's death.

Police hope to jog someone's memory who knew Norwood or had some work done by him.

"We do have some information that Norwood was working as a carpet layer around this time period, so any business or construction site or anyone else who might have worked in that field or related field that may have known Norwood, at any level, we'd like to hear from you," said APD Violent Crimes Commander Julie O'Brien in late November.

Norwood has already been charged in the death of Christine Morton. Her husband, Michael, was wrongly convicted and spent 25 years in prison before DNA evidence cleared his name three months ago.

Austin police ask anyone with information about any of the following to please contact detectives at 512-477-3588:

• Anyone who has any knowledge of the murder and the circumstances surrounding it.
• Any friends, associates, neighbors or co-workers of Norwood are asked to call.
• Items were determined to have been stolen from the residence following the murder. Anyone who received or bought any property from Norwood during this time frame are asked to contact the police.

The case remains under investigation by APD's Homicide Unit. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide tip line at 512-477-3588, Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES.

Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if a tip leads to an arrest or charges being filed.