Mary Sears

Mary was not just another Sears; she was a vibrant presence in Abilene. Her civic involvement was extensive, serving on the board of the Fine Arts Museum and as a member of the Taylor County Historical Commission. Despite her active role in the community, Mary was considered somewhat eccentric. She had been married once but had no children, and after her marriage ended, she resumed her maiden name and lived alone.

Her home was a treasure trove of antiques, reflecting her passion for collecting. She was known for staying up late and living by her own rules, a trait that made her a distinctive character in Abilene. Mary had a particular fondness for costume jewelry, but she also owned several large, real diamonds, often wearing one prominently around her neck.

On November 22, 1981, Mary Sears' life came to a tragic and violent end. She spent her last afternoon doing what she loved most—painting the West Texas plains, a landscape that had been her home all her life. Her paintings of the local scenery were known for their serenity, while her floral works were vibrant and full of life. At 77, Mary was a tall, thin woman with silvery gray hair always worn in a bun. Her artistic talent set her apart in a community dominated by ranchers and cattle workers. She shared her love of art with local children, teaching them how to paint and encouraging them to feel their work as she did.

Before her murder, Mary had driven from Abilene to Merkel to visit her long-time friend, Billie Joe. The two friends enjoyed exploring the rural backroads together. After returning home that evening, Mary fed her dogs, called her sister, and went to bed, ensuring all her doors were securely locked—a habit that reflected her cautious nature.

The next morning, around 6 a.m., Mary called her yardman, WB Rhodes, to inform him that his son Bubba was at her house due to car trouble. After giving Bubba some coffee and helping him get his car running, Mary called WB again to update him. That was the last time anyone heard from Mary Sears.

Later that day, when Mary's sister couldn't reach her by phone, she grew concerned. After several unanswered calls, she decided to visit Mary’s home, bringing her grandson, Alex, and a neighbor along. Upon entering the house with a spare key, they were shocked to find it in complete disarray. Drawers were pulled out, chairs were overturned, and even the pictures on the walls were crooked. Alex, only six years old at the time, vividly remembered the unsettling scene, sensing that something was terribly wrong.

As they approached Mary's bedroom, Alex felt a deep sense of dread. Inside the room, they found a chair propped against the closet door, clearly placed to keep someone from getting out. When they removed the chair, they discovered Mary’s lifeless body. Still dressed in her pajamas and robe, Mary was slumped over, her eyes open but her body covered in blood. She had multiple cut and stab wounds, but the fatal blow was to her throat, causing her to bleed to death. The detective in charge of the case described it as one of the worst deaths he had ever seen, believing that Mary had suffered in the dark closet before succumbing to her injuries.

The murder of Mary Sears sent shockwaves through Abilene. The police quickly launched an investigation, but the forensic tools of the early 1980s yielded little evidence. They found the murder weapon, a blood-covered hunting knife, but no fingerprints. The smooth surfaces of Mary’s antique furniture made it difficult to collect any useful prints, and the few they found belonged to the lead investigator. No other blood, hairs, or bodily fluids were discovered at the scene, leaving the police with little to go on.

The case took a turn the next day when two men hired to work on Mary’s home reported seeing a distinctive green Buick LeSabre in her driveway on the morning of the murder. The car, with its metallic green paint, tricked-out hubcaps, and tennis balls on the antenna, was easy to trace. The owner was Troy Robinson, a man with a long criminal history of burglary. A local jewelry store owner contacted the police, reporting that Troy had tried to sell a pair of earrings that belonged to Mary.

The police were confident they had their man, but Troy insisted that he never let anyone drive his car. This claim placed him directly at the scene. However, when confronted with the charge of capital murder, Troy changed his story, claiming he had lent the car to his cousin, Wayne East, on the morning of the murder. Wayne, who had done yard work for Mary earlier that year, denied any involvement in her murder but admitted to driving Troy’s car that morning. He also acknowledged being with Troy when he sold Mary’s earrings.

As the investigation continued, the police discovered that Wayne was the stepson of WB Rhodes, Mary’s yardman. Suspicion quickly shifted to Wayne, but it wasn’t until March that a breakthrough came. Dee Dee Martin, a woman Wayne had driven home on the morning of the murder, came forward with a shocking revelation: she had witnessed the murder of Mary Sears.

Dee Dee told the police that Wayne had planned to rob someone that morning. When she tried to escape, Wayne caught her and cut her foot. He then forced Dee Dee to accompany him to Mary’s house. While she waited in the car, Dee Dee heard a scream and ran inside. She saw Wayne standing behind Mary, holding a knife to her throat. Wayne demanded to know where Mary kept her jewelry, then stabbed her in the chest. Dee Dee was the voice the workers heard telling them that Mary wasn’t home and would return in 30 minutes. After stabbing Mary again, Wayne fled the scene, leaving Dee Dee to follow in terror.

With Dee Dee’s testimony, the case against Wayne East solidified. Troy Robinson was cleared of the murder charges, though he received a lighter sentence for a separate robbery after cooperating with the investigation. Dee Dee was also offered a deal in exchange for her testimony, receiving 20 years for burglary. The prosecution’s case against Wayne was strong, bolstered by witnesses who placed him in Troy’s car that morning and confirmed he had sold Mary’s jewelry.

The trial ended with a swift guilty verdict, and it took the jury just 18 minutes to decide on the death penalty for Wayne East. His history of crime and violence left little doubt in the jurors' minds. The sentence was a fitting end for a man who had taken the life of Mary Sears, a woman who had dedicated herself to her community and believed deeply in justice.

Mary’s death left a void in Abilene, but her memory lives on through the many lives she touched with her art and her civic contributions.