< Previous10 | Unsolved Galveston County | March 2021 Drivers who switched to Allstate saved an average of $718.* How much could you save? Quality car insurance is available at a lower rate than you might think. In fact, drivers who saved money by switching to Allstate saved an average of $718. Switch today. Call me to learn more! O'DONOHOE AGENCY, THE 409-744-1888 5928 STEWART RD a064795@allstate.com allstate.com/ sseeaannooddoonnoohhooee 13920435 Many factors go into the cost of your auto insurance policy, including how you purchase the policy: online, through a call center, or with an agent. Subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Not applicable in CA. *Average annual auto insurance savings reported by new customers surveyed who saved with Allstate in 2019. Allstate Fire & Casualty Ins. Co. Allstate Vehicle & Property Ins. Co. & affiliates: 2775 Sanders Rd Northbrook IL 60062. © 2021 Allstate Insurance Co. By MYER LEE The Daily News Ted Ludwig’s nightmares were incessant. He would wake up screaming and often would call relatives to tell them of horrifying dreams about his former wife, Shelly Franklin, being badly harmed. His nightmares came true. Police found the mother of Ludwig’s two children dead in her San Leon home Nov. 26, 1986. And, after almost 35 years, her case is still unsolved. Franklin’s case was inactive a few years after it was opened in 1986, said Lt. Tommy Hansen, an investigator with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, who reopened the case in 2016. The case has been narrowed down to two suspects, he said. Anoth- er of Franklin’s former husbands received a lot of focus in the case but has been eliminated as a suspect, Hansen said. He chose not to speak to The Daily News. Someone who knew Franklin beat her to death and placed a towel over her face, Hansen said. The placement of that towel indicated to the vet- eran homicide investigator that the killer had feelings for the victim. The killer couldn’t bear to see her face, Hansen said. Franklin worked at a food truck, a bar and was a dancer, Ted Ludwig Jr., Franklin’s son, said. “She was a feisty wom- an,” he said. “She lived her life to the fullest and was a party girl.” Franklin worked so much that her chil- dren lived with their great-grandmother most of the time, Ludwig Jr. said. He and his sister were on the way to their great-grandmother’s home, the last time they saw their mother, he said. Ludwig Jr. has been working on the case since 2000 and felt that the case was not a priori- ty until Hansen reopened it, he said. Hansen said he feels he and the other criminal investigators are on the correct track. The most confounding aspect of Franklin’s case is that not many people have been forthcoming with information, even though Franklin was well- known in her community, he said. Waiting for DNA lab results also has slowed down the case, he said. The main suspect is dead, but that doesn’t mean Franklin’s loved ones don’t deserve a res- olution, Hansen said. “It’s about closure for the family,” he said. “It’s a human thing to want to say goodbye.” Case of Shelly Franklin’s killing lingers for 35 years GALVESTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Courtesy Shelly Franklin was murdered Nov. 26, 1986 in San Leon. She was 28 and survived by two children.March 2021 | Unsolved Galveston County | 11 When Only the Best Will Do.When Only the Best Will Do. We Love Working with Designers & Contractors! 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People who suspect they are in immediate danger should not hesitate to call 9-1-1. • Trust your instincts. It may be tempting to downplay the danger posed by a stalker, espe- cially when victims have or have had personal relationships with their stalkers. Danger is gener- ally higher when stalkers talk about suicide or murder and in situations when victims are trying to leave or end a rela- tionship. • Contact a crisis ho- tline. Crisis hotlines and domestic violence pro- grams can help victims devise plans to safeguard themselves from stalkers. Such agencies also can provide insight regarding local laws, which vary depending on where victims live, and refer victims of stalking to oth- er helpful services. Local programs or agencies can advise victims about contacting police and seeking court orders of protection. • Develop a safety plan. Do not hesitate to develop a safety plan, which typically involves enlisting the help of trusted friends or rela- tives. Trusted loved ones can provide a respite from stalkers by offering a place to stay, and such friends and relatives also can accompany stalking victims to meetings with law enforcement author- ities to provide support. Safety plans should include ways that victims will change their daily routines to make them less vulnerable to stalk- ers, as well as how they will respond if stalkers appear at their homes, schools, offices or other places they frequent. • Do not communicate with stalkers. Do not communicate with stalk- ers or respond to their attempts to contact you. • Keep evidence that you’re being stalked. Do not delete emails, voicemails, text mes- sages, letters, or other evidence that can prove you’re being stalked. In addition, take and save photos of anything stalkers damage, such as property, and any inju- ries they cause to you, a loved one or a pet. Stalking is a serious crime, but victims do not have to suffer in silence. 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David Bowers, Realtor ® 409-763-2800 David@DavidBowers.com The House Company SS omeome MM ysteriesysteries are meant to beare meant to be UNSOLVEDUNSOLVEDMarch 2021 | Unsolved Galveston County | 13 Self-defense tips to protect yourself No one wants to imagine themselves in a situation that requires fending off an attacker, but it’s imperative that people avoid the “it won’t happen to me” mentality. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that, in the United States in 2019, there were in excess of 1.2 million violent crimes, which included robbery, rape, aggravated assault, manslaughter and homicide. While it may not be possible to protect one- self against every type of crime, being aware of potential dangers and learning some techniques to fend off a would-be attacker can go a long way toward improving personal protection. Self-defense techniques can be utilized by any- one. Self-defense instruc- tors may have fine-tuned certain techniques, but these generalized guide- lines can serve as useful starting points. Learn the vulnerable areas Whether you are stronger or weaker than your attack- er, the element of surprise is your friend. Blows direct- ed to vulnerable areas can bide you time to get away. Vulnerable areas include the eyes, nose, throat, groin and shins. Use what you have Jennifer Cassetta, the creator of Stilettos & Self Defense, a popular self-de- fense program taught at colleges, corporations and conferences around the country, advises stabbing at the attacker’s arms or hands with a key or an- other object if you are ever grabbed. Use pepper spray if you have it. Use strong body language Body language is a nonverbal form of com- munication that projects a strong and confident person. If you appear alert and strong — making eye contact with all people — would-be attackers may look for easier targets. Also, keep your com- posure and try to avoid appearing afraid. Stay close and hit first Whether you are on the offensive or defensive, keeping close to your at- tacker might make it more difficult for that person to hit you hard. Also, striking first can catch the attacker off guard and increase your chances of escaping. Try to push him or her to the ground, because gaining balance after falling is not easy. Even if you mas- ter every self-defense technique, remember self-defense is not about winning a fight. The main objective is to stay safe, and this may mean running away at the first opportunity. The immediate goals of self-defense are to wrench free, disorient the attacker and escape. For more information about personal protec- tion, seek the advice of a self-defense instructor or your local law enforce- ment agency. — Metro Creative Connection14 | Unsolved Galveston County | March 2021 Neighborhood watch programs can provide communities with a sense of security while serving as a low-cost deterrent to crime. Establishing a neighbor- hood watch program is no small task. Such programs are most effective when the entire community lends its support and participates. Men and women hoping to start watch programs in their communities can consider the following strategies, courtesy of the National Crime Prevention Council. Getting started Gathering neighbors and fellow community members to gauge levels of interest and discuss the challenges ahead is a great first step toward establishing a neigh- borhood watch program. Before hosting your first meeting, contact the local police or sheriff’s depart- ment and ask if an officer or deputy can attend the meet- ing and provide insight. When planning the initial meeting, give fellow res- idents ample notice and choose a location that’s easily accessible to all. At this initial meeting, discuss the purpose of the program and ask fellow com- munity members how willing they are to participate, in- cluding how much time they can realistically devote. Moving forward Once the decision has been made to start a pro- gram, organizers can then ask for men and women to serve as block captains. Block captains will be responsible for disseminat- ing information about the program to their neighbors, keeping them up-to-date on any crime or issues in the neighborhood as well. Cap- tains also will serve as liai- sons between the community and local law enforcement. Men and women who volunteer to serve as block captains should devise a regular way to communicate with fellow watch members and residents. Email can be effective and easy, but keep in mind that older residents may prefer phone calls or direct contact. Once community mem- bers have agreed to partic- ipate, organizers and block captains can create maps that highlight the homes of group members, including their phone numbers and/or email addresses as well. Working with law enforcement The cooperation of law enforcement can be con- siderable for neighborhood watch organizers. Speak with local agencies, asking if they provide training for watch programs. Such train- ing may teach observation techniques and offer sugges- tions on reporting crimes. Some local law enforce- ment agencies may even provide community mem- bers with neighborhood watch signs that participat- ing households can post in their yards. Such signs can serve as a deterrent to prospective criminals and potentially help community members in distress. It’s important that neigh- borhood watch programs also discuss vigilantism with local law enforcement agen- cies. Neighborhood watch participants should never take the law into their own hands. Block captains should emphasize to members that the point of the watch is to observe and alert. Learn more at ncpc.org. — Metro Creative Connection Tips for starting a neighborhood watch A night out on the town can be a great way to unwind, enjoy some exotic cuisine and soak up some local culture. While nights out on the town are all about having fun, it’s important to prioritize safety when going out. A safe night out on the town requires men and women to remain alert and aware of their surroundings and plan ahead. • Consume alcohol responsibly. When going out for a night on the town, use a taxi service or ride-sharing company to eliminate the chance of driving while intoxicated. When going out with friends, pick a desig- nated driver who will abstain from alcohol throughout the night. Men and women who drive themselves but feel like they have had too much to drink to drive home can always keep their cars parked, call a taxi and return for their vehicles in the morning. The cost of the ride home pales in comparison to the cost of being arrested and/or getting into an accident. • Travel in a group. When going out with friends, make sure the group stays together throughout the night so no one ends up alone and vulnerable to crim- inals. Single men and women should always go out with at least one friend in tow to ensure their safety. Groups out for a night on the town should stay together and resolve to look after one another throughout the night, even going so far as to ensure everyone safely makes it into their vehicles before group members go their sepa- rate ways at the end of the night. • Be mindful of all motorists. Even men and women who abstain from alcohol should be mindful of motorists when driv- ing or walking around during a night on the town. Just because you’re being respon- sible does not mean everyone is acting sim- ilarly. Obey the speed limit and keep ample distance between your vehicle and other cars on the road when driv- ing after the sun goes down. Don’t be afraid to pull over and even telephone the authori- ties if you notice anyone driving erratically. • Avoid confron- tations. The Alcohol Rehab Guide notes that irritability and extreme mood swings are warning signs that someone may be abusing alcohol. When out for a night on the town, men and women may encounter people who have had too much to drink. If a potentially volatile situation presents itself, walk way, even if you feel like you’re in the right. The other person involved may not be of sound mind and might be more prone to violence than he or she otherwise would be if he or she had not been drinking. Nights out on the town with friends are fun, but adults must make safety a priority when sampling local nightlife. — Metro Creative Connection Enjoy a safe night out on the townMarch 2021 | Unsolved Galveston County | 15 The fight or flight mech- anism is an important tool in safeguarding well-being, but there is much more a person can do than relying strictly on gut reaction. Taking personal safety se- riously means having a re- alistic view of the potential dangers in the world, and employing various strate- gies that promote safety. Put down the phone Distractions are a major cause of injury and putting oneself at risk. Texting while walking or driving increases the risk for in- juries. Predators also look for signs of distraction or weakness, and eyes that are glued to a phone make it hard to remain aware of your surroundings. Lock your doors Everyone wants to believe theirs is a safe community. But crimes like door push-ins or break-ins happen in every community. Locking home and vehicle doors puts an added barrier between a would-be criminal and your belongings or person. Stick to well-lit areas The dark can hide peo- ple and ill intentions. Try to run as many errands or tasks during daylight hours as possible. When you must go out at night, walk or park in well-lit areas. Move to a public place If you think you are being followed, either on foot or in the car, go to a public place or a police station. Don’t overshare on social media People have a tendency to throw caution to the wind on social media, revealing personal details they likely wouldn’t share in other settings. Posting you are out of the house or away on vacation is an invitation for trouble. Avoid isolated places Waiting for a bus, taxi, ride share or even to meet another friend in a place without a lot of people around can put you at risk. It’s better to wait inside of a store or a building with others, if possible. Check visitors first Whether at home or in a hotel while traveling, con- firm who is knocking on the door before opening it. If someone states they are from a particular business or service, ask for iden- tification. Call the front desk of a hotel to confirm identities and purposes. Watch your drink Never leave a drink unattended in a public restaurant or bar, as some- thing can be slipped into it. Similarly, don’t accept a drink that you didn’t see being poured. —Metro Creative Connection Personal safety tips to live by Taking personal safety seriously means having a realistic view of the potential dangers in the world, and employing various strategies that promote safety.16 | Unsolved Galveston County | March 2021Next >