Waco, TX – A Texas woman who killed her neighbor during a violent home invasion has been sentenced to decades in prison after entering a guilty plea in a case that stunned both investigators and the community.
A 54-year-old woman admitted in court to fatally shooting her neighbor, a 45-year-old mother, during a late-night break-in in September 2022. The crime unfolded after the victim called 911 to report that the suspect was trying to force her way through a window. Responding officers found the victim shot in the head and the suspect running from the home naked and covered in blood.
Incident Overview
According to investigators, the victim placed a frantic emergency call reporting that her neighbor was attempting to break into her home in Lacy Lakeview, a city just north of Waco. When officers arrived, they discovered the woman dead from a gunshot wound. The suspect was spotted fleeing the residence and was immediately detained.
Court records reveal that while in custody at the hospital, the suspect told officers she “grabbed the gun from the victim and shot her” because she believed the victim had harmed her dog. She also claimed she “drank her blood,” statements later documented by law enforcement.
Disturbing Statements and Mental Health Claims
Documents show that the suspect spoke with a physician on the night of the killing. She claimed she had been “electrocuted” by a live wire at her home and afterward felt disoriented.
She reportedly told the doctor, “That’s the last thing I remember, is the light fixture. But then I was talking to the law-dogs about what I did… and I don’t even remember it.”
The doctor diagnosed her with borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. Despite those conditions, she stated publicly that she was sane at the time of the killing.
Shift in Legal Strategy
The suspect initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but reversed course a week later, entering a guilty plea to murder. She accepted a 50-year prison sentence, with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Prosecutors explained that the plea agreement effectively ensured she would spend the rest of her life incarcerated. They said the deal avoided risks associated with trying a case that included mental-health-related defenses and the potential for lengthy appeals.
Emotional Testimony From the Victim’s Family
The victim’s family attended sentencing and delivered powerful remarks. Her parents spoke on behalf of her teenage son, sharing words he wrote about his mother’s death. One line read, “She was Satan’s puppet, and she is going to hell if she doesn’t ask God for forgiveness for her sins… She shed my mother’s innocent blood.”
Family members told the court that the victim had endured years of harassment from the neighbor, describing it as “aggressive, demonic harassing.” They said the suspect had become a “force of pure evil that lived across the street,” leaving the family with lasting trauma.
Community Impact and Case Closure
The case shook the Lacy Lakeview community, with residents expressing fear and disbelief at the violent nature of the attack. Local officials said they hope the sentence brings a measure of closure, although the emotional toll on the family remains significant.
Authorities emphasized that violent crimes involving mental-health elements can be difficult to prosecute but said this plea achieved the safest and most stable outcome for the public.
If you live in the area and witnessed increased police presence or have thoughts on the community response to this case, share your experiences in the comments below.
