Tracy Jo Shine was a promising dancer from Houston, Texas.

Questions and Answers

What was Tracy Jo Shine's occupation before her disappearance?

Dancer

What was the reason for Tracy Jo's disappearance?

She had a drug problem

What did Tracy Jo agree to do in exchange for a lighter sentence?

Testify against Michael Neal

What did Michael Neal do after bailing Tracy Jo out of jail?

He killed her Signup and view all the answers

What led detectives to discover Tracy Jo's body?

A tip from a witness Signup and view all the answers

What did the Neal brothers say about Tracy Jo's disappearance?

They denied any involvement Signup and view all the answers

What did Tracy Jo's mother do after her daughter's disappearance?

She continued to search for over a decade Signup and view all the answers

How did Michael Neal kill Tracy Jo?

He strangled her Signup and view all the answers

What did forensic scientists find in the refrigerator that led to the discovery of Tracy Jo's remains?

A piece of human skin Signup and view all the answers

What was Michael Neal's sentence for Tracy Jo's murder?

45 years in prison Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tracy Jo Shine was a promising dancer from Houston, Texas.
She dropped out of school and disappeared at the age of 18.
Tracy Jo had a drug problem and was involved with Michael Neal, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood.
Tracy Jo was arrested for drug use and agreed to testify against Michael Neal in exchange for a lighter sentence.
Michael Neal bailed Tracy Jo out of jail but she was never seen again.
An anonymous tip led detectives to discover that Tracy Jo was murdered and her body was stored in a refrigerator owned by Michael Neal and his brother.
The Neal brothers were convicted of other crimes but denied involvement in Tracy Jo's disappearance.
A cold case unit reopened the investigation 10 years later and attempted to retest the tissue found in the refrigerator.
The investigation led to the discovery of Tracy Jo's remains and the arrest and conviction of Michael Neal for her murder.
Tracy Jo's mother never gave up hope and continued to search for her daughter for over a decade.
Tracy Jo Shine was murdered by Michael Neal in 1998.
Neal feared Shine would testify against him for a drive-by shooting.
Neal strangled Shine in his bedroom and left her body there for three days.
Neal's mother found the body but did not report it to the police.
Neal transported the body in a refrigerator to a used car lot.
Neal's brother, Robert, helped move the refrigerator but did not see the body.
Forensic scientists swabbed the refrigerator and found a piece of human skin.
The skin sample was tested using mitochondrial DNA and matched Shine's mother's DNA.
Neal was convicted of Shine's murder and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Neal has refused to reveal the location of Shine's body.