ATHENS, Texas — For nearly four decades, an East Texas family has waited for answers after a brutal 1987 murder case went cold. Now, thanks to DNA evidence, investigators say they’ve identified the man responsible — but for the victim’s family, closure is still out of reach.

"Nothing's going to bring Rickey back," said Rickey Herriage's sister Virginia Culpepper.

Thirty-eight years have passed since 29-year-old Rickey Herriage was found dead near a bridge on County Road 1500 in Athens. That’s 38 years his mother, Annette Herriage, has asked — who killed her son, and why?

"He was always helpful with all the family, and he was just, he was just a magnificent son to all and brother to the whole family, and he was kind of like the rock, you know, the oldest," Annette Herriage said.

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