Beyond the Headlines: Who was the East Texas brother that was murdered nearly 40 years ago?

ATHENS, Texas (KETK) — In 1987, a beloved father and brother was murdered in Athens, and after 38 years, the case remains cold, with his grieving sister and mother still searching for answers.

KETK News had the opportunity on Thursday afternoon to talk to 63-year-old Virginia Herriage Culpepper and 85-year-old Annette Herriage, both of Athens, who lost their family member, 29-year-old Rickey Herriage, in the spring of 1987.

During the interview, KETK news went beyond the headlines and heard Herriage’s story from childhood to adulthood to his murder and investigation.

Childhood

Rickey was born on Jan. 13, 1958, in Annette’s hometown in Anson, Texas, but after she fell sick when he was around two weeks old, they moved to Athens where he lived for the rest of his life. He was the oldest of three siblings, and Annette said he was like Superman, always helping everyone and being the protector of the family.

According to Annette, she always knew Rickey would be something special when he grew up. “He has always been really sharp, always a great memory for reading and studying,” Annette said. “When he was in first grade, his teacher told me that he was going to be something special when he was grown because he was so smart in school, it made me very proud.”

Growing up, Culpepper remembers Rickey being the “very nice big brother” and always there to do what was right.

“He’s funny, he’s lovable and he’ll take up for you if he feels like you are being mistreated and you are in the right,” Culpepper said. “If it meant five against one, he’s going to be that one.”

Courtesy of Virginia Herriage Culpepper

Adulthood

Annette explained as an adult, Rickey had many jobs and “never had a lazy bone in his body,” and throughout his life he had worked as a carpenter, in the oil field, a construction worker and much more.

He was also a Storekeeper Seaman Recruit in the U.S. Navy but came home early when Annette was struggling to make a living, and he wanted to help her.

Annette said not only was he the protector of his siblings, but he was also to his daughter and step-son, whom he loved like his own. Both of his children were very young when they lost their 29-year-old father to murder.

Courtesy of Virginia Culpepper

The hours leading up to the murder

According to Annette and Culpepper, they know some of Rickey’s whereabouts in Athens before he was found murdered, but there are still many hours that are left unaccounted for.

1. Rickey first called a co-worker the evening of March 7, 1987, to go play pool at a club on Highway 19 South called Paula’s Club (also known as BJ’s Club).
2. Once they arrived, the co-worker realized he was banned from the club, so they went to an Ice House club, which is parallel to North Pinkerton and Prairieville Street. Rickey left the Ice House some time before midnight.
3. Rickey was seen walking by a man inside an auto garage near the corner of Pinkerton and West Larkin Street.
4. A lady recognized him at the Pitt Grill on West Corsicana Street around 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The rest of Rickey’s whereabouts are unknown.

Murder

Rickey was found dead on a bank by a man picking up beer cans around 1 p.m. on March 8, 1987, on County Road 1500.

Rickey had been shot once near the stomach and four times in the back. His body was thrown over the “thunder” bridge.

Aftermath

Annette explained she felt that police could have put more effort into Rickey’s case and that her family had to do a lot of groundwork in the investigation, such as going door to door asking neighbors if they saw anything.

“Every time we talked to anyone that was supposed to be investigating it, they’d tell us how many other murders and things they had to do, they didn’t have enough manpower, they’ve done the best they could,” Annette said. “We never found out anything.”

Courtesy of Virginia Culpepper

After Rickey’s death, Annette said that people wanted her to move away from Athens because they were worried about her safety, but she told KETK News the main reason she is still here today is because Rickey’s case is still unsolved.

“Rickey was my oldest boy and he was the one who watched over the family and he was a good person,” Annette said. “I just hope we find who killed him and why.”

East Texans can submit tips about Rickey’s cold case online at Henderson County Crime Stoppers or by calling the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at 903-675-5128.