In this week's Cold Case report, Ashley Fitzwater takes us back 20 years to investigate the murder of a 19-year-old Wichita Falls mother. 

April 7,1989 at 1:23 am, police get a troubled call for help at 1520 Trout, at what was then Holiday Creek Apartments. When officers arrived, they learned from the apartment manager and victim's family member that resident Melissa Sodeman had been killed in her apartment with her two young children inside.

 "Her name was Melissa Sodeman, she was a real young lady, just 19-years-old." says Harold McClure, Wichita Falls Police Officer.

 Melissa was last seen the night before, a Thursday, with several friends.

"She was out in front of her apartment with neighbors just talking chatting just like any other neighbors would do."

 Melissa left the group at around 11:30 pm, the last time she was seen alive. Two hours later, Melissa's estranged husband found her brutally stabbed to death.

Police aren't sure if she was expecting someone that night but do know...

"It wasn't uncommon for her to leave her front door open or unlocked, she had family members that would come over and visit so she would leave it unlocked so they could come on in..."

Which allowed a murderer to simply walk in. With just a short time span of two hours, police hope someone will remember something and come forward.

"Maybe somebody heard something, saw something unusual, saw someone unusual, saw someone coming or going from the apartment that just didn't fit... we are hoping they will come forward with info for us!"

Melissa's two babies were also inside, one was months older than the other, almost two. Thankfully both were unharmed.

"It's really tragic how she is so young and was a mother and how she had two children and to die and the murderer to still be out there, that's not exceptable."

If you have any information on this murder please call Crime Stoppers at 322-9888. You never have to give your name and could help put this tragic crime to rest.