Twice convicted child murderer, Carlos Don Stultz, dies in prison

Limestone County District Attorney Roy DeFriend was notified Friday morning that Carlos Don Stultz, the man convicted of killing Mexia teenager Kathy Jones in 1968, died Thursday night in TDCJ custody. 

Here is the email DeFriend sent out:

June 25, 2021

I received word this morning that Inmate Carlos Don Stultz died in TDCJ custody yesterday. 

Inmate Stultz lived a long life and apparently died of natural causes, something that his victims, 11-year-old Karen Kubat and 17-year-old Kathy Jones did not have the opportunity to do, due to his heinous crimes against them.

While his passing brings me no pleasure, I am relieved that this chapter is finally closed for the Jones family, who has had to endure more than 30 parole hearings. Each one was denied. He has been incarcerated for 52 years for his crimes, making him one of the longest-serving inmates in the Texas prison system.  Nothing, however, will replace the loss of their precious daughter and sister, Kathy Jones. 

Thank you to the citizens of Mexia, Limestone County, and to everyone who wrote the Parole Board.  You have kept a child killer behind bars where he deserved to be and kept Kathy Jones’ memory alive. 

Stultz’s death sentence commuted to a life sentence, has now been served on this earth. He can now face a new Judge.

Thank you again for all the letters of support; you carried the day each and every time you were called upon.

Professionally,

Roy DeFriend

Limestone County District Attorney