December is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time for celebration and family. It’s a season of the heart, bearing hope that the upcoming year will be even better than the last. For one family, Christmastime would turn into a time of tragedy.
Gary and Stephanie Gillette were newlyweds and in December 1985, they felt elated to spend their first Christmas together in Corpus Christi, Texas. They planned to get together with Gary’s three young daughters on the 14th to decorate the house for the fast-approaching holiday. The girls patiently waited for a phone call from either their father or Stephanie, asking them to come over. The day went by without a word from Gary and Stephanie, and the sisters moved on with plans of their own. Shae, the oldest of the girls, visited her father’s house before heading out to a movie. The lights were on, and someone left the garage door open. Shae peeked into the windows, hoping to gather more information, but saw no movement. All was still and quiet.
The following day, Shae returned to the house, this time with Debbie, her mother and Gary’s first wife, at her side. As they pulled up onto the block, a throng of vehicles greeted them. They parked further down the street, promptly got out, and ran to the house. A team of police cars parked outside the Gillette’s home. Investigators canvassed the area, combing through the lawn and disappearing into the once silent house, carrying bags and investigation equipment with them. Journalists sprinkled around the area with their cameras poised in hand as they documented the developing crime scene. By this time, a horde of curious spectators gathered to watch. Shae and her mother had to weed their way through to reach the property. Debbie flagged down an officer to speak with. After some time, she returned to her daughter and, her face somber and stricken with tears, delivered the grim news that both Gary and Stephanie were dead.
It was a double homicide. During the early morning hours of December 14th, someone murdered the newlyweds in the master bedroom as they slept. The killer or killers attacked them with a hatchet, striking them numerous times at their heads. A scattering of stab wounds covered their torsos. The inordinate amount of aggression shown towards Gary and Stephanie implied that the act was eminently personal to the perpetrator.
Despite the gruesome manner of their deaths, neighbors reported hearing no screams or any other noises that may indicate foul play during the night and early morning hours. The doors remained locked and showed no sign of forced entry. The rest of the home, too, appeared undisturbed. Two guns, a watch, and Gary’s custom rings had vanished. The most noticeable missing item was Gary’s car, which detectives soon found parked several parks down. They uncovered fingerprints inside the vehicle and hundreds inside the house. All were collected for evidence.
Throughout the years, investigators have kept details on the case close to hand. Because of no signs of forced entry and the amount of overkill, they have speculated it that the killer is likely someone the couple knew. Police once considered one of Gary’s oldest friends a prime suspect. This man, who has not been publicly named, returned to the Gillette’s home with Gary after attending a Christmas party together on the night of December 13th. Not only was he the last person to see Gary and Stephanie alive, but he was also the individual to notify police that something may be wrong in the house. Although he made for a solid suspect, detectives eventually dropped the case against this unnamed man due to a lack of substantial evidence.
The lingering question of who killed Gary and Stephanie Gillette remains unanswered nearly thirty-five years after their untimely deaths. Their families remain hopeful that the case will one day be solved. If anyone has information related to this case, investigators ask them to contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at (361) 886-2600.
