July 14, 2025 | By: RJ Spearman

This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class.

Vernon Davis loved spending time with his family on the weekends. He was also the glue of the family. He would call his sister and have daily talks about life and about how his kids were doing. “I talked to my brother every day because that is how close we were,” said his sister, Meche Davis.

Those daily phone calls stopped over 10 years ago, when Vernon Davis did not answer the phone. His body was found in his house in Smithville, Texas. His murder has never been solved.

Vernon Davis grew up in Smithville, Texas, with his sister and loved ones. His sister still remembers how popular he was in high school. He was a social butterfly. He and his sister were two years apart in school, but they always made sure to spend time together.

During their time in school, racism was present, but Vernon and his sister did not let that affect their experiences. They grew up in a small town, where there was separation, but Vernon and his sister hung out with everyone.

As a teenager, Vernon carried his bubbly personality with him, but his path changed over the years. He was led astray by untrusted people, but he started to turn his life around. He worked on getting his GED, and he got his commercial driver’s license, CDL.

Vernon was able to build a life for himself, starting with the birth of his twin sons, Kyle and Cody. The birth of his sons helped him become even more family-oriented. Vernon’s smile could light up a room anywhere he went, especially when he watched his favorite movie, Bad Boys. He loved action movies, and he was a hardcore Star Wars watcher. You could catch him smiling with excitement about getting to spend time with his sons and family during Christmas. He dedicated specific time to his nieces and nephews as well.

Meche and Vernon were always close and often seen together having fun. As children, when it was time for each other’s birthdays, they both got a present. Her fondest memory of him was the day she had surgery, and he came from Smithville all the way to Dallas to check on her. It meant the world to her to have her brother there when she woke up.

Smithville, Texas, is a small city. In 2013, the population was 3,991. Meche recalls when she was growing up, the city had mostly just one of everything, only two grocery stores, and everyone knew everyone. “Growing up it was a peaceful community where you could go to bed without locking your doors,” Meche said. Later, things began changing in the community.

On July 15, 2013, Vernon did not call his sister before she went to work to have their usual talk, and he didn’t answer her calls. Meche repeatedly called his phone, but got no answer. She was so concerned that she sent their uncle to go by the house to check on him.  Meche said, “That day my whole world came to an end.”

Vernon was found dead in his duplex at 702-B Lee Street from head injuries. According to the police investigation, he was found “under suspicious circumstances.” Police Chief Rudy Supak said at the time, “We know that more people know what happened, but they are not coming forward.” Police spoke with multiple neighbors of Vernon and some persons of interest, but produced nothing. With the help of the Texas Rangers and Smithville detective Lonny Richardson, investigators found DNA at the crime scene. This led to Bluebonnet Crimestoppers offering a reward to anyone with information that could lead to an arrest for this case.

The police, for the first three weeks, experienced an influx of phone calls about the case, but all led to a dead end or incorrect information. Vernon’s case remains unsolved and continues to weigh heavily on the family’s minds and spirit.

Vernon’s twin sons battle with missing their father every day, but continue to remember how good a man he was. They continue to honor his memory along with his sister. Meche, in the first years, would go out to the cemetery and read to him how the Dallas Cowboys were doing. She even decorated his headstone with the Dallas Cowboys merchandise because that was his favorite team.

Meche regularly posts on Vernon’s Facebook page, especially during football season. She knows he would love seeing how his team is doing now and would be on Facebook bragging. However, Meche still battles the waves of grief that come at the most random times. Dreams of him wake her up in tears. She battles the anxiety that increases towards his birthday and the anniversary of his death.

When she looks at her nephews, she can see him. “When I turn to my right, my brother is there, and when I turn to my left, he is there as well,” said Meche. The more they grow up, the more they become the spitting image of Vernon. They remember their brother and father as a kindhearted man, a man with a heart of gold. “The more I talk about him, the better I get. He would be so proud of his boys. They are well-brought up, doing so well, and we are so proud of them,” said Meche.

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Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to contact the Smithville Police Department at (512) 237-3228. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Bluebonnet Crime Stoppers at (866) 930-TIPS.

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