SAN ANTONIO – More than two decades after their deaths, the family of two young women are pleading for new leads that could solve the double murder.
Christi Kaufman, 15, and her cousin, Debbie Perkins, 23, were shot to death at a home in the 100 block of Fredonia on Feb. 21, 1994. At least one of them also was pistol whipped.
Kaufman was babysitting Perkins’ 5-year-old daughter, who was there at the time. Perkins was 6 months pregnant.
“I’ve actually gotten on my knees and prayed for these people who murdered my sister, so they won’t do it again,” said Patrick Kaufman, Christi Kaufman’s older brother.
Patrick Kaufman said when the front door was kicked in, they shot his sister.
He said even so, she managed to reach the bedroom, where Perkins was shot as she slept.
“She wanted to get away. (They) found her in the closet. They shot her a couple of more times,” Patrick Kaufman said.
At least one of the victims was also pistol whipped.
A spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department said whoever did it knew who they were looking for, but the victims were not the intended targets.
“My sister probably wouldn’t have been over there if there was any indication of that,” Patrick Kaufman said.
The SAPD spokesman also said the case was re-opened in 2010 when several leads surfaced, but none of them panned out.
Patrick Kaufman said he’s still hopeful that police will be able to use DNA or other investigative techniques not available back then.
He said his mother has not been the same since the murders.
Olivia Kaufman, his sister, said, “She wants somebody to do something. Get up out of the chair and do something.”
Police said the public can call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP. There is up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction.
“We deserve some type of justice. We deserve some type of peace. We’re just not getting it,” Patrick Kaufman said.