Shane and Sally Ann

Shane Paul Stewart (17) and Sally Ann McNelly (18) were two teenagers who were murdered in San Angelo, Texas, in 1988. Their case remains unsolved and is considered a cold case.

On the evening of July 4, 1988, they went to Lake Nasworthy to watch an annual fireworks display. They were last seen alone on the shore of Lake Nasworthy before midnight by a fisherman. After they didn't return home, a search began. Shane Stewart's Chevrolet Camaro was found abandoned the following day, with the keys on the dashboard.

In November 1988, the remains of both victims were discovered in a pasture near Twin Buttes Reservoir, about twenty miles from where the vehicle was found. Both had died from gunshot wounds. Investigations at the crime scene clearly established that both were victims of homicide.

The case gained national attention and was featured on "Unsolved Mysteries." Over the years, there have been rumors of their involvement with a "Satanic cult," which were partially attributed to the "Satanic panic" phenomenon of the 1980s and were sometimes sensationalized by media. Some sources suggest that these rumors were started by an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries" and that there is no evidence they were involved in a cult.

DNA was recovered from evidence near Shane Stewart's abandoned car in 1994, but no match was found in a nationwide DNA system. In 2017, an arrest related to drug trafficking led to the seizure of evidence that authorities believed was tied to the murders, but the killer or killers remain at large. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is offering a reward for information leading to arrests in the case.

July 4th 2025 will mark 37 years.

Satanic Cult

The claim that Shane Paul Stewart and Sally Ann McNelly were part of a Satanic cult and that this led to their murders is a prominent theory in their unsolved case, but it's important to understand the nuances of the "proof."

Here's a breakdown:

Evidence and Allegations Supporting a Cult Connection:

* Friends' Testimonies: Sally's friends reportedly witnessed her attending parties with occult activities and practicing black magic. They alleged that both she and Shane had become involved with a "Satanic cult."

* The Turned-In Gun: In March 1988, months before their disappearance, Sally and Shane turned a gun over to local police. They claimed it had been given to them by a member of the alleged cult and that it had been used in a murder-robbery. Police confirmed the gun was stolen, lending some credibility to their fears. This act of turning in the gun is often cited as a potential motive for their murder, as it could have been seen as a betrayal by the group.

* Fears Expressed by Victims: Sally and Shane reportedly expressed fears for their safety to authorities after turning in the gun, suggesting they felt in danger due to their knowledge of this secretive group.

* Evidence Near the Scene: Some reports mention that evidence of "satanic rituals" was found near the park where they vanished, though the specific nature of this evidence is not always detailed.

* Recent Developments (2017): In 2017, a man named John Cyrus Gilbreath was named a person of interest. During a search of his home related to drug possession, investigators found "writings, audio tapes, and biological evidence" that they believed were connected to the murders. While Gilbreath has not been charged, this indicates continued police interest in leads that might be tied to their alleged associations.

Counterarguments and Nuances:

* "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s: The murders occurred during the "Satanic Panic" era, a period when widespread public and media hysteria surrounding alleged Satanic ritual abuse and cults was prevalent. Critics argue that this societal phenomenon influenced the investigation and media portrayal, potentially leading to an overemphasis on the cult theory without strong direct evidence.

* "Unsolved Mysteries" Influence: Some sources suggest that the "Unsolved Mysteries" episode on the case, while bringing national attention, heavily promoted the Satanic cult angle, potentially sensationalizing it and contributing to the rumor's persistence. Some argue that there's no concrete evidence they were involved in a cult or Satanic rituals, beyond the friend's claims and the gun incident.

* Alternative Theories: Other theories for their murders have also been suggested, including a drug debt, a random robbery, or even involvement of police perpetrators and a cover-up (though this is largely speculative).

Conclusion:
While there is no definitive, publicly released "proof" that definitively links Shane and Sally's murders directly to a Satanic cult in a ritualistic killing, the idea that their involvement with a group engaged in occult activities, drug use, and illegal acts played a significant role in their deaths is a very strong and persistent theory. The act of them turning in a gun obtained from a "cult member" and their expressed fears for their safety are compelling elements that connect them to a dangerous group.

It's a complex case where the influence of the "Satanic Panic" might have shaped the narrative, but also where real-world dangerous associations might have genuinely led to their tragic deaths. The case remains unsolved, and investigators continue to seek leads, suggesting that the full truth, and the precise motive, is still elusive.