A Texas woman is accused of murdering and dismembering her partner, whose remains were found in a landfill
Audrey Troncoso confessed to killing Roland Matthew Sheppard, and authorities say her father helped dispose of the man's remains
A Texas woman is accused of murdering and dismembering her partner, and authorities say her father helped dispose of the man's remains.
Audrey Troncoso, 31, was arrested on murder charges in connection with the death of Roland Matthew Sheppard, 34, according to a news release from the San Angelo Police Department.
His father, Mario Valdes Troncoso Jr., 54, faces a charge of tampering with or falsifying physical evidence after police allege he helped dispose of Sheppard's remains, according to a separate police statement.
At a news conference Thursday, June 25, San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith said an anonymous tip received the day before led officers to a dumpster at an apartment complex on Baker Street.
However, when they arrived, the container had already been emptied. Investigators located the garbage truck and searched its contents, discovering what appeared to be “fresh” bloody clothing and a large piece of blood-stained carpet, the chief said.
The evidence gave investigators probable cause to search a home on Parker Street, where Audrey was arrested. Griffith testified that she was the partner of Sheppard, who they believed was the victim of a homicide that occurred on Tuesday, June 23.
During police questioning, Audrey allegedly confessed to shooting and stabbing Sheppard, causing his death, according to Griffith and an arrest report obtained by People magazine.
“Investigators also discovered that, following the homicide, the suspect attempted to hide and dispose of the victim's remains,” police alleged in the news release.
Some of Sheppard's remains were later recovered from a landfill. Investigators determined the remains came from the same dumpster.
Police announced the arrest of Audrey's father in a statement posted on Facebook hours after the press conference.
Griffith described the case as “one of the most violent homicides in recent memory” and added that investigators are still working to determine a motive for the attack.
Audrey is being held on $2 million bail, while her father is being held on $100,000 bail, according to Tom Green County Sheriff's Office online records.