Amarillo Globe-News, Hemphill County TX, town of Canadian
Web posted Thursday, July 29, 1999

OFFICIALS SEEK WITNESS TO DEATH
by Kevin Welch, Globe-News Staff Writer

Canadian - Imogene French, 77, was found strangled almost two months ago, and now the investigation into the case has led law enforcement agencies to release the description of a man they want to question.
Officials describe him as a 5 foot-6 inch Hispanic between 30 and 40 years old with a medium complexion and rough skin. According to a news release from the agencies, the man was wearing a dirty, white T-shirt and wire frame, reflective sunglasses.
The description is a composite of several descriptions given by witnesses while under hypnosis, said Doug Tennant, chief deputy of the Hemphill County Sheriff's Department.
The man is wanted for questioning as a witness to the death that occurred June 6 between 10 a.m. and noon at the Oasis Truck Stop just north of Canadian, Tennant said.
Officials also issued a description of the truck they believe the man was driving. It was a 1980s model faded red Kenworth tractor-trailer. Black script letters, outlined in gold, were on the doors of the truck and in an arch on top of the truck.
The rig had polished aluminum wheels, a walk-in sleeper, possibly square headlights and not much chrome, according to the news release. The air filter was located on the driver's side of the truck, and the trailer was a split rear axle model.
Although the description roughly matches trucks driven by CR England employees, it is not believed to be a part of any fleet operation, Tennant said.
Officials ask that anyone having information regarding the man or the tractor trailer contact one of the following law enforcement officials: Hemphill County Sheriff Dean Butcher at 323-5326; Texas Rangers Sgt. Jay Foster at 935-5908; or FBI Special Agent Steven Vandiver at 376-6395.
The French family is offering a $10,000 reward for the conviction of the person who strangled the victim with a vacuum cleaner cord and stole money from her purse and the truckstop's cash register.