ST CHARLES, Mo. — It's one of the most haunting unsolved murders in St. Louis history.
In 1993, Angie Housman was kidnapped, tortured, starved, and left to die in the Busch Wildlife area. She was 9 years old.
Investigators are still searching for Housman's killer 26 years later.
Prosecutors told the I-Team in November that evidence from the case was being re-tested for DNA. Now, six months later, we're hearing from several sources close to the investigation that there may finally be a break in the case.
5 On Your Side Investigative Reporter PJ Randhawa uncovered exclusive information on a new person of interest in the case.
"I think about her all the time. [Investigators] supposedly found her by the Busch wildlife area. I drive past there every night and every morning," said Ron Bone, Housman's stepfather.
Yet, every mile spent on the road just brings Bone closer to the question that has haunted him for 26 years: who killed his step-daughter, Angie Housman?
5 On our Side was there in November 1993 when Housman was found tied to a tree. Her head was covered in duct tape. She was nude and starved for several days.
By all accounts, the little girl died a brutal death.
"If I knew the person, right now, hey, I'd kill them myself right now. I don't know who it is. I was at work. When I came home, she wasn't there." said Bone.
There haven't been many suspects either. Bone said in recent weeks that police shared surprising news.
"They said they found DNA on her. A spot on her and on her whole body. They said they matched it out to somebody I was supposed to know." Bone explained.
Sources close to the investigation told the I-Team re-examined evidence has led them to a new person of interest. It's someone who wasn't on anyone's radar.
"They just said I know the person. He looks familiar, but I can't place him. They showed me a picture. He was kinda heavy set, somebody sitting there, you could tell by the neck that they're heavy set. His neck was a full neck. Kind of chubby on the face." said Bone.
Bone said so much time has gone by he can't be sure that he knows the person at all.
Sources also said the person of interest has a long criminal history and is in his late 50's or early 60's. His possible link to the case has only recently come into focus.
"If they got it, why not nail him? Why hold it and drag it off?" said Bone.
According to Bone, that unnamed person of interest is not the only one police are closing in on.
"The other person is supposed to be me. [Police] said the DNA that covered her whole body was me. So, they're talking about putting me up for the murder part. It's like, 'hey, whoa wait a minute'." said Bone.
Bone says he wouldn't be surprised if DNA was found on his step-daughter's body, because he lived with her.
Investigators questioned Bone in recent weeks, but he maintains that he had nothing to do with Housman's murder.
"I’ve been waiting for them to catch this guy before my wife passed away, but that never happened," said Bone.
Housman's mother, Diane, died of cancer in 2015. Bone is one of Housman's only surviving family members.
After 26 years without answers, he hopes Housman's killer is caught in his lifetime.
"Twenty-six years. I’d say I did wait long enough," said Bone.
The I-Team spoke with a spokeswoman at the St. Charles County Prosecutor's Office who said they had "nothing new to report".