Still no arrest in 2022 slaying of three Cass County sisters
Investigation ‘active and open,’ DPS says
CASS COUNTY, Texas — Nearly two years after the bodies of three sisters were recovered from a pond, no suspect has been arrested in their deaths, which are being investigated as homicides.
However, the investigation into the slaying of Zi’ariel Robinson-oliver, 9, A’miyah Hughes, 8, and Te’mari Robinson-oliver, 5, should “not be considered a cold case,” said Sgt. Ethan Sartor, public information officer for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“It’s still active and open,” Sartor said about the investigation.
In April 2023, District Attorney Courtney Shelton reported that the Texas Rangers had interviewed a cousin who was babysitting the girls the night of July 29, 2022, while their mother was at work. The siblings’ bodies were discovered the next day in a pond about 200 yards from their house, off state Highway 77 west of Atlanta.
“He was the last person known to be with the children prior to their deaths. However, all possible leads are being followed,” Shelton said.
Since April 2023, no other significant developments have been reported.
Zi’ariel, A’miyah and Te’mari were reported missing about 9 p.m. July 29, 2022, by their cousin. As Cass County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Cass County Emergency Services District No. 2 searched for the girls, they found a pair of shoes near the edge of the pond, leading investigators to search the water, Sheriff Larry Rowe has said.
The Bowie County dive team was called in, and the children’s bodies were recovered about 3 a.m. July 30.
Shelton has said the girls’ deaths were treated as homicides from the start, despite initial reports they died from accidental drowning.
An autopsy performed Aug. 4, 2022, concluded the sisters died by strangulation. They also had cuts to their faces.
The investigation has attracted attention outside Cass County. In an April 14, 2023, Instagram post, Emmy-nominated actress Niecy Nash asked questions about the case.
“3 sister [sic] all murdered and dumped in a pond and yet there is no mainstream media coverage about their murders! Why did it take 8 months for the results of the autopsy to be released and what have the police been doing this entire time?” the post states.
Sartor said anyone with information that could be helpful to the investigation can call Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 903-756-7511 and ask to speak with a Ranger.