RITA COOK

FERRIS – The Ferris Police Department may soon be able to report only two cold cases instead of three in that city.

A double homicide committed in January, 2010 will likely be referred by police to the Ellis County and District Attorney’s Office, along with a request for a Grand Jury Referral.

Police are hopeful the District Attorney will be able to seek an indictment in the matter of the murders of Melinda Schene and Nathan Moses.

The investigation focuses on a 59-year-old suspect who resided in Ferris at the time of the murders.

The suspect was known to be well acquainted with the victims.

The motive for the killings appeared to be linked to anger over a severed relationship.

The murder victims – both 30 years of age – Melinda Schene and Nathan Moses – resided in a duplex home in the 600 block of Valley View Lane in Ferris.

Both were found shot to death inside the home in the early morning hours of Jan. 28, 2010.

The bodies were discovered by a local resident of Ferris who had attempted to make contact with the two slain victims by knocking on their front door.

When the knocking went unanswered, there was a concern something was wrong.

Bullet holes were seen in the door.

The resident went to the local police station and contacted Ferris Police Officer Darren Coslin who went immediately to the residence and found both occupants dead inside from multiple gunshot wounds. The perpetrator(s) were gone from the scene when police arrived.

Case investigation and information from crime lab reports on various articles of evidence brought the focus of the investigation on the 59-year-old male suspect from Ferris.

Police are nearing the end of their investigation and intend to present the case findings to the office of District Attorney Patrick Wilson in the near future. Police are hopeful the district attorney will have enough evidence to take the case before a Grand Jury.

The name of the suspect may be released if an indictment by the Grand Jury is returned.

The case was investigated by Ferris Police Department and the Texas Rangers.

Assistance was also received from the Dallas County Sheriff Department Crime Scene Division.

Ferris Police Chief Eddie Salazar and Investigator Walter “Gator” Weiss are hopeful for justice for the slain victims and families. They continue their efforts on the case, and have said they are nearing the end of the investigation.