Lynn Floyd Moore, a seventy-year-old U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, successful businessman, father, and grandfather, was found shot to death inside his home on the 3700 block of Dover Drive in Odessa, Texas, on September 14th, 2001. Nearly twenty-five years later, the case remains unsolved despite an extensive investigation.
Born in 1931 to Jesse Floyd Moore and Oda Nelle Jamison Moore, Lynn spent much of his life in Odessa. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1953 during the Korean War and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery in combat. He bore a distinctive Navy tattoo on his right arm as a reminder of his service.
In 1957, he married Nora Sue Moore. The couple raised four children together over forty-four years of marriage before separating, with Nora later moving to Plano while Lynn stayed in Odessa. He built a career in the oilfield services industry as the former owner of Mission Well Service and served on the board of the Permian Basin International Oil Show. Locals knew him as a familiar figure driving his white Cadillac around town, making regular stops at the post office, bank, Zucci’s Restaurant, or the American Legion.
Friends and family described him as a hardworking man who lived comfortably and maintained strong community ties.
On September 14th, 2001, Sergeant P. Shepherd of the Odessa Police Department responded to a welfare check at Lynn’s home. His brother Jesse, who lived in Fort Worth, had grown concerned after several days without contact. An employee at Star Cleaners also noted that Lynn had not picked up his daily receipts, an uncharacteristic lapse.
Jesse arrived in Odessa, noticed lights on inside the house but received no answer, and alerted police. Officers found the front of the home secure, but the back sliding glass door had been broken and left ajar. Inside the bedroom, they discovered Lynn lying on the floor between a couch and the bedframe. He was wearing only a T-shirt and boxer shorts, with his arms crossed above his chest. He had suffered a single gunshot wound to the left side of his upper chest.
The autopsy confirmed death from the gunshot, which appeared fired at close range, along with internal bleeding and minor scrapes. Toxicology reports indicated alcohol in his system. He was last seen alive in downtown Odessa on September 11th, 2001.
Strikingly, the scene showed no signs of a typical burglary or robbery. Lynn’s wallet and a large sum of cash remained in the room. A brand-new gold Rolex watch sat untouched on the nightstand next to car keys and coins. These details puzzled investigators and suggested the killing may have been personal rather than opportunistic.
Odessa Police conducted a “huge investigation,” interviewing many who knew Lynn. His son Darryl, who had been out of town visiting family, actively participated in seeking justice. In early 2002, the family offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction and placed newspaper ads pleading for tips.
Rumors circulated over the years, including stories of Lynn’s associations with women at the American Legion who knew of his wealth, and vague claims about him making comments regarding “paying to deal with” people he disliked. None led to charges. The case passed through multiple detectives’ hands.
Susan Rogers, CEO of Odessa Crime Stoppers, has described the case as “still very solvable,” noting Lynn Moore’s prominence in the community likely generated talk at the time. She emphasized that anyone with knowledge of grudges or relevant details could help.
Lynn’s wife Nora passed away in 2007. As of recent reports, his children and grandchildren continue to seek answers. He would have turned ninety-four in 2025.
The murder of Lynn Floyd Moore stands as one of Odessa’s notable cold cases, with the perpetrator still at large.
Crime Immemorial 