Vivian Geanett Thompson, 18, was murdered in her Dallas apartment on October 25, 1978. She was stabbed multiple times in the back, neck, chest and abdomen; her body was placed in a closet and set on fire. The blaze spread through the unit and her two children, Maurice, 3, and Latoya, 18 months, died of smoke inhalation. By the time the fire was extinguished, the bodies of Vivian and Maurice were so badly burned they had fused together.

A relative, Robert Charles Ladd, was identified as the perpetrator. He was indicted a few weeks later on capital murder and arson, pleaded guilty and received 40 years for murder and 20 years for arson. Mandatory parole laws resulted in his release after about 12 years; he then moved to Tyler, Texas, and worked as a barber.

Anyone with memories of Vivian, her children, or details from that night in Dallas is asked to share information that might help fill gaps in the case history.