David Wayne Spence, Tony Melendez, Gilbert Melendez
Three teenagers. One summer night. And a case that still haunts Central Texas.
A Summer Night Turns Tragic
In July 1982, Waco was shaken by a brutal triple murder at Speegleville Park, near Lake Waco. Three teenagers—Jill Montgomery, Raylene Rice, and Kenneth Franks—were found murdered after what should have been a carefree summer evening.
Jill and Raylene were both 17 years old. Kenneth was 18. All three were well-known in the area. Their deaths stunned the community and triggered one of the most controversial murder investigations in Texas history.
The Gruesome Discovery
The bodies were found bound, stabbed, and mutilated. The violence was so severe that it sent shockwaves throughout Central Texas. There was no immediate suspect, no obvious motive, and no clear trail to follow.
Fear spread quickly. Families in Waco, Woodway, and the surrounding areas locked their doors and kept their kids close. Whispers of a serial killer or satanic cult even made the rounds, only heightening the panic.
A Case with Few Clues
Investigators faced immense pressure to find those responsible. As the weeks dragged on with no arrests, leads began to dry up. Eventually, focus turned to a group of men, including David Wayne Spence and Anthony Melendez. Charges were brought based heavily on jailhouse informants and confessions that would later raise serious questions.
Notably, there was no physical evidence linking Spence or the others to the murders. No fingerprints, no DNA, and no eyewitnesses placed them at the scene. But prosecutors pushed forward.
The Trials and the Fallout
David Spence was convicted and sentenced to death. Anthony Melendez took a plea deal. His brother Gilbert also faced charges but died in prison. Over the years, many began to question whether the right men were convicted.
Some of the testimony used in court was later recanted. Others claimed they were pressured into giving false statements. Critics pointed to flaws in the case, including missing evidence and alternative suspects who were never fully investigated.
Still No Clear Answers
To this day, there are people who believe the real killers were never caught. Others believe justice was served. What everyone agrees on is that this case was far from simple.
The Lake Waco Murders remain one of the most haunting and complicated criminal cases in Central Texas. Families were changed forever. A community was left with scars that haven’t faded. And decades later, questions still linger.
The Story Lives On
For true crime junkies across Texas, this case is unforgettable. It’s a reminder that justice is rarely black and white—and that sometimes, the truth is buried deeper than we want to admit.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
