Real Name: Chance Lee Wackerhagen
Nicknames: No known nicknames
Location: Lockhart, Texas
Date: December 26, 1993
Bio[]
Occupation: Minor
Date of Birth: September 2, 1984
Height: 4'8"
Weight: 75 pounds
Marital Status: Single
Characteristics: Caucasian male, blond hair, blue-green eyes
Case[]
Details: On December 27, 1993, Latricia White was found by her father, Jack, shot six times in the head in her bed. Police soon found that her live-in boyfriend, Dub Wackerhagen, had vanished, along with his son, Chance. He was immediately considered a suspect. However, his family believe that both he and Chance were also victims of Latricia's killers.
Three days after Latricia's murder, Dub's pickup truck was found abandoned thirty miles away in Austin, Texas. Investigators noted that this was a high-crime area. In the cab, they found Dub's hunting rifle, checkbook, and wallet. In the back was a toolbox, spare tire, and several Christmas presents. All of which were covered with blood. However, it did not belong to Latricia, and blood tests against Dub and Chance were inconclusive.
Investigating the case, authorities found that Dub was jealous and abusive in their relationship; he often yelled at Latricia and wanted to know where she was at all times. However, his sister claims that the fights were not serious. His ex-wife also said that he had a temper and was abusive at times. Four days before Latricia's murder, a friend witnessed an argument between them about Chance leaving the faucet running, which overflowed onto the floor. After she yelled at Chance, Dub told her that they were leaving and they did so. However, three days later, they were back together again at a restaurant and all seemed fine.
Later the next day, Latricia was found dead. Three days later, Dub was charged with murder. However, his family believes that he is innocent and that an unknown person killed all three. Authorities believe that his hair-trigger temper led him to murder Latricia and take Chance. They believe that Chance may have been the trigger of the fatal argument between the couple.
Four months after the murder, Chance's maternal grandfather received a call apparently from him that said, "Help me! Help me!" He is certain that it was from him, but Dub's family believes that it was a hoax. Neither Dub nor Chance have ever been found.
Suspects: Dub Wackerhagen
Extra Notes: This case first aired on the February 17, 1995 episode.
Results: Unsolved. Sadly, Dub's father committed suicide in 1999, but it is not known if it was related to the case. For years, authorities believed that Dub and Chance fled to Mexico shortly after Latricia's murder, but their whereabouts remained unknown.
In May 2016, the authorities re-examined the case and felt they now have evidence that both Dub and Chance had been murdered by a third party. The new person of interest in the case is Latricia's ex-husband; the two were involved in a custody battle prior to her murder. Despite the new evidence, no one has been charged in the case.
Links:
- Chance Wackerhagen on Unsolved.com
- Chance Wackerhagen on the Charley Project
- Chance Wackerhagen on the Doe Network
- Police seek Caldwell County man in slaying of 38-year-old woman - December 31, 1993
- Suspect sought in McMahan murder case - January 6, 1994
- 'Unsolved Mysteries' filming segment in Lockhart - November 17, 1994
- Search continues for slaying suspect - December 30, 1994
- 'Unsolved Mysteries' to feature Caldwell County incident - February 16, 1995
- Man added to most wanted list - May 5, 2002
- Caldwell County man makes DPS most-wanted list - May 9, 2002
- The search for Chance goes on - December 25, 2013
- Investigators reopen 1993 Texas murder case - May 18, 2016
- Central Texas cold case of slain woman, missing father and son gets new attention - May 18, 2016
- DPS looking for suspects in 1993 murder, missing persons case involving Kingsville boy - May 19, 2016
- Dub & Chance Wackerhagen: Last Christmas - July 14, 2019