Identifinders International, in conjunction with the Houston Institute of Forensic Sciences and audiochuck, announces the identification of 1981 Harris County murder victims as then 21 year-old Harold Dean Clouse and spouse 17 year-old Tina Gail (Linn) Clouse.
The newlywed couple, who married in June 1979, was found together in a wooded area in Houston, Texas. They had been deceased approximately two months prior to their discovery on January 12, 1981, when a dog led searchers to their remains. Harold was found beaten, bound and gagged, while Tina had been strangled.
The couple left their home in Volusia County, Florida in 1981 with their 1-year-old baby for Harold to pursue carpentry work in Texas. Soon after, the couple's car was returned to the family who was led them to believe the couple had joined a religious group and no longer wanted contact.
In July 2011, Jennifer Love, Forensic Anthropology Director of the Identification Unit-Harris County Medical Examiner's office, exhumed the bodies to extract DNA to determine if the two were related.
In 2021, Indianapolis-based media company audiochuck, who produces true crime podcasts, funded the genealogy research. Working with forensic anthropologist Deborrah Pinto of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the case was solved by Identifinders Senior Forensic Genealogist Misty Gillis and former colleague Allison Peacock. Gillis identified Harold within 10 days of taking the case. When his family mentioned his wife, Tina was identified as the other victim.
"I'm very thankful to have been given the opportunity to work on this case. It was a difficult case emotionally," commented Gillis.
"We are pleased the Forensic Science Institute placed its confidence in us and we could bring closure to the Clouse and Linn families. We thank audiochuck for their generous support in funding the work on this case," said Colleen Fitzpatrick, President of Identifinders International.
But closure of these cases has led to another mystery: the whereabouts of baby Hollie Marie. No baby was found with the couple's bodies and no Baby Doe cases have been found that match her description. Work is continuing to list Hollie Marie Clouse with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Republished courtesy of Identifinders International. Photo: Family photo of Tina Gail Linn, Hollie Marie Clouse, and Harold Dean Clouse. Murdered in 1980 and discovered in early 1981, Hollie's body was never found and it is possible she is still alive. She would be 41 years old today.