Left for Dead on Halloween Night — Who Killed 'Orange Socks' Debra Jackson?

On Halloween night in 1979, a woman's lifeless body was found discarded in a ditch along Interstate 35 in Williamson County, Texas. She was wearing nothing but a pair of orange socks, leading investigators to dub her "Orange Socks." For decades, she remained unidentified, and her case became one of Texas' most haunting cold cases. It wasn't until 2019 — 40 years later — that authorities finally uncovered her true identity: 23-year-old Debra Jackson from Abilene, Texas.

The Discovery of 'Orange Socks'

On Oct. 31, 1979, a passerby spotted the body of a young woman in a concrete drainage ditch just north of Georgetown, Texas. Investigators were immediately puzzled. There was no identification, no belongings, and no signs of who she was or where she came from. The only clue was a matchbook from a hotel in Oklahoma found near the body, but a search of the hotel's records led to another dead end.

The only distinctive feature of the woman was her clothing — or lack thereof. She was completely naked except for a pair of bright orange socks, a detail that would define her case for nearly four decades. Without a name or any personal information to work with, Williamson County officials referred to her as "Orange Socks" and buried her in the local Odd Fellows Cemetery under a headstone marked "Unidentified Woman." Strangers left coins and small tokens on her grave, a quiet tribute to a life lost in obscurity.

A False Confession and a Serial Killer's Lies

In 1982, serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to murdering "Orange Socks." Lucas, already convicted of multiple murders, was notorious for taking credit for crimes across the country. Former Williamson County District Attorney Ed Walsh recalled how Lucas had pointed out the culvert where he allegedly disposed of the body, leading to his indictment and conviction for capital murder.

However, Lucas later recanted his confession, as he did with many of his supposed killings. Despite being sentenced to death, doubts about the legitimacy of his claims led then-Gov. George W. Bush to commute his sentence to life in prison. Investigators later admitted that the evidence did not conclusively link Lucas to the crime, and many began to believe that he had fabricated his involvement.

A Break in the Case: Identifying Debra Jackson

For nearly 40 years, "Orange Socks" remained nameless, but advances in forensic technology and investigative persistence finally yielded results. In 2019, Williamson County authorities confirmed her identity as Debra Jackson, a young woman from Abilene, Texas. Jackson had left her family home in 1977 and was never reported missing. Her family, believing she had simply moved on with her life as she had done before, had no idea of her tragic fate.

Investigators pieced together parts of Jackson's life. She had lived and worked in Amarillo and Azle, Texas, in 1978, and had briefly held a job in real estate in 1979. She may have used the last names Larned and Moon at different points in her life, which could explain why she was never linked to missing persons reports.

Who Killed Debra Jackson?

Although Debra Jackson has finally been identified, her murderer remains unknown. The circumstances of her death suggest she was likely killed elsewhere before being dumped along the highway. Given the lack of forensic evidence tying Henry Lee Lucas to the crime, investigators are now pursuing other leads.

With modern DNA technology, authorities are revisiting the case in hopes of identifying a suspect. They have begun testing the fibers from the orange socks and examining the ring that Jackson was wearing when she was found. These new forensic methods could provide crucial insights into where she had been before her death.

Remembering Debra Jackson

The revelation of Debra Jackson's identity has given closure to her family and offered a new direction for investigators seeking justice. Her grave, once marked only as "Unidentified Woman," now has a name — a small but significant step toward ensuring she is remembered not as an anonymous victim but as a person who lived, worked, and had a family who cared for her.

Though many questions remain, one fact is clear: Debra Jackson's life mattered. And for those still working to solve her murder, justice remains the ultimate goal.

References: Investigation Continues Into 'Orange Socks' Cold Case | Police Looking for Info on Cold Case Murder Victim With Ties to Abilene | 1979 Cold Case Victim Identified as Abilene Woman