A Texas man has been arrested for allegedly shooting his fiancée in the head with a shotgun, then staying with her body for over a week before fleeing due to the unbearable smell, according to police.
The Crime and the Alleged Confession
William Oddo III, 52, is facing charges of murder and tampering with evidence after he allegedly confessed to police that he killed his fiancée, LaVera Wardell, 39, in self-defense during an argument. Oddo told detectives that Wardell ran at him with a knife, prompting him to shoot her in what he claimed was self-defense. Oddo, however, did not call police after the shooting, stating that he didn’t want to discuss the incident with anyone.
According to Denton Police, Oddo allegedly stayed with Wardell’s body for approximately three days, even lying with her corpse at one point. He reportedly fled the apartment when the smell of decomposition became overwhelming, but not before attempting to clean the crime scene using cleaning supplies to scrub away blood and mask the smell.
Discovery of the Body
On May 19, police were called to an apartment in Denton, Texas, to perform a welfare check after neighbors complained of a “very foul smell” coming from the residence. Witnesses had seen Oddo speaking with Wardell on May 6, the last day she was seen alive, and reported that her whereabouts had been unknown since then. When police arrived at the apartment, they found Wardell’s body with a traumatic head injury, which authorities believe was caused by a single shotgun blast.
Oddo had allegedly attempted to clean the apartment, but investigators discovered evidence that pointed to his attempt to cover up the crime, including cleaning supplies and items used to mask the smell of decay.
Arrest and Charges
Oddo was arrested on June 2 at a motel in Mount Pleasant, Texas, on a felony warrant for tampering with evidence. He was later charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. His bond was set at $160,000.
During his questioning, Oddo reportedly explained to police that he had stayed in the apartment with Wardell’s body because he “wanted to lay with [her].” Authorities believe that Wardell was killed on May 6 and that Oddo remained with her body until May 14, when witnesses noticed his car had disappeared.
Community Reaction
Neighbors were stunned by the crime, with one describing it as “honestly heartbreaking.” The apartment where the murder occurred was located just above the building’s office and adjacent to the gym, making the situation all the more shocking for those who lived nearby.
This case highlights the chilling reality of a tragic crime and the disturbing actions that followed. As investigations continue, Oddo now faces significant legal repercussions for his alleged role in Wardell’s death and the subsequent attempts to cover it up.
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