Suvechha Sarkar
The residents of Dallas, Texas, began their morning on August 5, 2013, as they did every day. However, the community was completely shaken when 39-year-old Tunesia G. Lyons was found dead on the side of a highway. As detectives worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding the homicide, they uncovered a trail of unanswered questions. A&E’s ‘Run and Gun/Lonesome Highway’ takes a closer look at the investigation that brought the killer to light. The episode follows the lead investigator in real time, offering a detailed glimpse into the path to truth.
Tunesia Lyons’ Remains Were Found Near a Highway in Dallas, Texas
Raymond and Eddie Arlene welcomed their bundle of joy, Tunesia G. Lyons, into their lives sometime around 1974. She was raised in a loving household in Dallas, Texas, where she always received an abundance of love. Growing up, she loved spending time with her beloved sisters, Letrena, Schrinda, and Shakedria, and brothers, Ray, Shaun, Joshua, and Will. Tunesia was known for her outgoing nature, which helped her make many friends throughout her life. Moreover, she fostered a close bond with several of her other family members.
In adulthood, Tunesia got into a relationship and welcomed her son, Dontevious Lyons, into the world. She was swollen with pride as he began demonstrating his talent locally as a football player. Around 7:25 am on August 5, 2013, a woman was driving along the southeast Oak Cliff near Simpson Stuart Road and Interstate 45 when she noticed an individual lying in the grass. She immediately called the authorities, who rushed to the scene and found a woman, somewhere between 30 and 40 years of age, covered in blood. Upon inspection, forensic experts noted that the woman had been shot on the left side of her face.
As they began investigating the matter, the officials glimpsed that the deceased reportedly had a distinct tattoo on her left calf, reading “Sexy Chocolate.” Investigators didn’t find any identification on her, but noticed that a trail of blood led to a service road. Nearby, they discovered an abandoned car, but it was found to be unrelated to the case. Since authorities were unable to identify the remains, they released a sketch of the woman and her distinct tattoo to the public. Ultimately, several hours after the discovery, her family identified her as Tunesia. The autopsy revealed her cause of death to be a fatal gunshot wound.
Thw Killer Was Arrested Based on a Witness Identification and Forensic Evidence
Officials initially suspected that the abandoned vehicle found near the crime scene might have been the place where Tunesia was killed. However, according to reports, the investigation revealed that the vehicle had broken down on the road and wasn’t connected to the homicide. One of Tunesia’s sisters informed the officials that the 39-year-old had recently had problems with a boyfriend, referred to as “Black,” as per police records. In her statements, the sister claimed the two shared a volatile relationship. However, following a preliminary investigation, the authorities ruled him out as a suspect.
When investigators reportedly checked Tunesia’s cell phone records, they found that she had last called a number around 2:35 am on August 5, 2013. According to investigative reports, the number belonged to a woman, and she was eventually brought in for questioning. In her statements, she told officials that she met Tunesia through a short man who was around 60 years old. She reportedly continued that before the morning of the murder, the man, Tunesia, and the woman had partied for several hours. Following that, the 39-year-old and the man left together around 3 am. However, the witness insisted that she saw no gun or noticeable arguments between the man and Tunesia, as per police records. Detectives then checked another number on Tunesia’s phone records, which she had called multiple times.
The number was reportedly traced back to a man named Floyd Murray. According to prison records, he was previously convicted of murder with a deadly weapon for a case dating back to September 1987 and sentenced to 15 years. Additionally, he was convicted of aggravated assault and served 5 years behind bars in the early 2000s. Official reports state that at a photo lineup containing Floyd’s picture, a witness identified him as the man last seen with Tunesia. On August 18, 2013, he was stopped for a traffic violation and brought in for questioning. Meanwhile, experts reportedly examined his vehicle, which tested positive for the presence of blood on the passenger side. During the interrogation, he admitted to being with the 39-year-old before the murder but denied any involvement in the crime. Floyd was ultimately charged with Tunesia’s murder.
Floyd Murray is Currently Incarcerated at a Texas Correctional Facility
Following Floyd’s arrest, he was held in custody at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center on a $250,000 bond. The prosecution built a strong case against him, primarily by emphasizing the witness identification of Floyd from a photo lineup. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, forensic experts had also confirmed finding traces of blood in the areas of the front passenger floorboard, passenger seat, and steering wheel of his 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison on May 23, 2014. His parole eligibility date is scheduled for February 16, 2031, and his projected release date is August 16, 2048. As of writing, Floyd is serving his sentence at the Alfred D. Hughes Unit Prison in Gatesville, Texas.
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