Gone Cold Podcasts may contain violent or graphic subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.

By all accounts, Robert and Karen Pretty had normal lives. Born August 7, 1943 in Harris County, Texas,

Robert was a machinist at Tricolor Incorporated, a sheet metal and

sighting company. His father-in-law was his foreman. Karen was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 16,

1949. After marrying Robert in November of 1969, Karen became a housewife.

Seven months later, on June 27, 1970, they welcomed their first son into their lives, Scott Warren Pretty.

Three years after that, on February 3, 1973, their second son, Mark David Pretty, was born.

Robert passed down his red hair to both of his kids. They were described as pretty little

red-haired children. Around 1976, the family made their home in North Houston, in the city's suburb of Aldine,

their neighborhood, a quiet, relatively new subdivision.

The house was modest, a ranch-style three-bedroom red brick home.

Karen shared a close bond with Mark and Scott. The two weren't allowed to cross

the street. Karen was protective. She was involved with activities and academics at Evelyn S. Thompson

Elementary School as a room mother and a volunteer in the motor skills lab.

The life of the Pretty family was seemingly typical.

They were a working-class family who both thrived and struggled just like anyone else.

But in 1978, the unthinkable happened,

and perhaps because of the normal lives they led, the brutal murders of Karen, 1978, Robert Pretti returned home from work.

When he walked in, it seemed quiet, too quiet.

He began making his way around the house.

On the kitchen table sat half a glass of milk and partially eaten cold

toast. Immediately, Robert's heart began pounding with fear. Something was terribly wrong.

...