In 1988, Patricia Ann Jacobs, 36, was happily married and the mother of three children, ages 17, 16 and 12. On October 5, Patricia, did not return home after attending a meeting. Her husband searched, but was unable to find her and reported her missing to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. The next day Patricia’s body was found in the Neches River, inside the city limits of Port Arthur. An autopsy revealed, Patricia died by drowning and had trauma to her head and face, the victim of a probable homicide. The Texas Rangers, in conjunction with Port Arthur PD and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a thorough investigation. After numerous witness interviews, Daniel MacGinnis, 29, from Tyler County, was identified as a suspect. MacGinnis was interviewed, but denied any involvement, knowledge, or contact with Patricia Jacobs. The case remained open. In October 2018, a family member contacted Texas Ranger Brandon Bess to request information or an update on the investigation. Ranger Bess and a Port Arthur PD Lt. reviewed the evidence and submitted the victim’s clothing to the DPS laboratory for DNA testing that was not available at the time of the crime. Daniel MacGinnis’ DNA was found on the clothing. August 27, 2019, MacGinnis was arrested for the murder of Patricia Jacobs, 31 years after her death.

On 9/20/2022, Daniel MacGinnis, 63, was convicted for the murder of Patricia Jacobs. He is currently serving his time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division (Prison).