On 04/19/1982, Velma Nesset was a reliable employee at Permian Mall. Velma usually walked to and from work. When she failed to arrive at work, co-workers and family began to search for her. A police report was made with Odessa Police Department. During the search, The partially nude body of Velma was discovered in a drainage culvert. She had been murdered. She had been attacked on her walk to work. Texas Rangers and Odessa Police Department have continued investigation of this case, but the case went cold. Texas Rangers and Odessa Police Department are utilizing updated technologies to find answers and justice in this case. We are asking for the public's help.

Advancements in DNA technology helps to identify Billy Wayne Ludwigson as the offender in this case. Ludwigson was 20 years old at the time of the offense. On July 30, 2020, a Texas Ranger and an Odessa PD detective arrested Ludwigson in Denver, Colorado. He was extradited to Texas, and on August 18, he was indicted for murder by an Ector County grand jury. The trial is pending.

On 08/09/2024 Suspect was sentenced to 20 years prison in Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division