Missing Since: January 10, 2002 from Georgetown, Texas
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: May 10, 1982
Age: 19 years old
Height and Weight: 5’2; 110-120 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Rachel has blonde hair with auburn streaks and hazel eyes. She has two heart-shaped cherries tattooed on her left shoulder and a black star tattooed on her left foot near her pinky toe. Her ears are pierced multiple times with one piercing in the upper cartilage. Cooke’s navel is also pierced.
On the morning of January 10, 2002, Rachel went for her daily 4-mile run. She was last see walking towards her parents’ home before she virtually vanished.
Witnesses told authorities an unidentified male in his late teens or early 20s was seen driving in the area Rachel disappeared. The male was reportedly speaking to another female jogger. He and possibly another male were in a late-model white or blue Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Trans Am with stripes.
Authorities are also asking for info concerning a white pickup seen in the area.
In August 2006, convicted killer, Michael Keith Moore confessed to Rachel’s murder. He later pled not guilty to her case and said he had been toying with authorities to get an easier sentence.
DNA never linked him to Rachel.
Also in 2006, Williamson County Sheriffs’ officials and FBI agents spent several hours digging near the San Gabriel River after they received a tip that Rachel’s remains may be found there.
Nothing was found and the search was called off.
Eleven years later in 2017, Sheriff Robert Chody created a cold case team to work on Rachel’s case to hopefully generate new leads.
As a result of the new cold case unit, in April 2018 the first real piece of tangible evidence is found in Dallas — 1998 white Pontiac Trans Am. Sheriff Robert Chody said the Pontiac is tied to three to four people of interest in the investigation.
Remember the white Trans Am? Witnesses reported seeing one in 2002.
The sheriff purchased a brand new 30k M-VAC. This equipment is basically a wet vacuum that loosens DNA. Forensic tests indicated possible blood located on an item on the passenger-side floorboard and another on the passenger-side door of the Trans Am.
More tips came in December 2018, leading to an extensive dig at a farm in Georgetown.
Once again, nothing is found and investigators moved on to other leads.
On May 10, 2019 Rachel would have been 37 years old.
A few billboards are placed along Interstate 35 offering a reward for information leading to her whereabouts.
The reward to find Cooke is now $100,000.
The FBI and Williamson County investigators are asking individuals with any information regarding Rachel Louise Cooke to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.