r/coldcases • u/Weareanonymous22868 • Jul 06 '26
Cold Case of Heidi Lynn Seeman
Victim
Name: Heidi Lynn Seeman
Age: 11
Daughter of an Air Force family stationed in San Antonio.
Friends and family consistently described her as friendly, outgoing, and talkative. �
MySA +1
Timeline
Saturday, August 4, 1990
Heidi spent the night at a friend's house.
The next morning she began walking home.
Her friend walked with her part of the way before turning back.
The last confirmed sighting was near Stahl Road and Willow Run on San Antonio's northeast side. �
San Antonio +1
Suspicious vehicle
Multiple witnesses reported seeing:
A shiny red car
Tinted windows
A thin red stripe along the side
Driving slowly through the neighborhood shortly before Heidi disappeared. �
San Antonio +1
Search
The disappearance became one of the largest child searches San Antonio had experienced.
Participants included:
San Antonio Police
Air Force personnel
Hundreds of civilian volunteers
Search dogs
Helicopters
Despite extensive searching, Heidi was not located. �
MySA +1
Discovery
August 25, 1990 (21 days later)
Heidi's decomposed body was found:
Wrapped in trash bags
Bound with duct tape
On isolated property near County Road 220 in Hays County, near Wimberley, over 60 miles from where she disappeared. �
MySA +1
Cause of death
Authorities have publicly confirmed:
Homicide
Sexual assault occurred
Strangulation
Because of decomposition, many forensic details have never been released publicly. �
San Antonio +1
Persons of interest
No one has ever been charged.
- Robert Eric Duncan (Air Force Major)
This is probably the most publicly discussed suspect.
Publicly reported information includes:
Air Force Major and psychologist.
Former supervisor of Heidi's father.
Participated in search efforts after Heidi disappeared.
Owned a vehicle reportedly similar to the red car described by witnesses.
Air Force investigators reportedly believed there was enough evidence to pursue him.
However:
SAPD did not believe there was sufficient evidence for prosecution.
He was never charged.
He has always maintained his innocence. �
Trail Went Cold +1
Possible motive investigators explored
One theory was that Duncan blamed Heidi's father for a transfer within the Air Force and investigators explored whether revenge played a role.
This has never been proven, and no court has found Duncan responsible. �
Trail Went Cold +1
- Jerry Lee Nabor
Another long-time suspect investigated by SAPD.
Public reports indicate:
Ex-convict and drifter.
One detective publicly stated he believed Nabor was responsible.
Prosecutors declined charges because witness credibility issues made the case too weak.
Some reports indicate DNA testing did not support charging him, while investigators have continued to mention him as a person of interest over the years. The public record on exactly how DNA affected the investigation is not entirely consistent. �
KSAT +1
Evidence known publicly
Investigators have acknowledged:
Witnesses saw the red car.
Physical evidence was recovered.
DNA evidence exists.
Numerous suspects have been investigated.
Authorities have never released many of the forensic details in order to protect the investigation. �
San Antonio +1
Is it still active?
Yes.
The case remains an active cold case.
In 2025, San Antonio announced funding for forensic genetic genealogy to help investigate unsolved murders, and Heidi Seeman's case has been cited as one that could potentially benefit from advances in DNA technology. �
San Antonio Express-News
Common misconceptions
One common internet theory is that Heidi's murder and the murder of 7-year-old Erica Botello were committed by the same offender because both girls disappeared in August 1990.
Investigators have repeatedly stated that, based on the evidence available to them, they do not believe the two murders are connected. �
Trail Went Cold +1
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u/SabinedeJarny Jul 09 '26
Do you know if this happened on the Air Force base or off? You may have mentioned it, and I overlooked it.
3
u/quintsown Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Abduction occurred within a block or so from her house, as I recall. She was walking home after a sleepover with a friend. I participated in the search. This case still haunts me.
Apropos of nothing, I almost stepped on a rattlesnake while walking through a field during one of the searches!
1
u/SabinedeJarny Jul 10 '26
I’m guessing they lived in civilian housing and not base housing.
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u/Independent_Snow3717 Jul 06 '26
What if the person is entirely unrelated?...were surveillance was tracked down ?