A tragic case has unfolded in Texas, where Charles Vandoil Byrd, 49, allegedly admitted to killing his wife, Angela Byrd, over a month ago. Byrd was arrested on Sunday after the decomposing body of his wife was found on his property, and he later claimed to have experienced a “mental break” before taking her life.
Discovery of the Body
The investigation began when a relative raised concerns, saying that Charles Byrd may have harmed his wife. Deputies responded to the Byrds’ home, where they discovered a strong smell of decomposition.
Inside the home, they found Angela Byrd’s body wrapped in plastic, carpet, and blankets, held together with ratchet straps. Authorities believe the body belongs to Angela Byrd, though an autopsy will confirm her identity and cause of death.
The Confession
When approached by local reporters outside the courthouse on Monday, Charles Byrd reportedly admitted to killing his wife, saying, “I’m so sorry. I loved my wife.” He explained that he had experienced a “mental break” and described the events leading up to the fatal altercation.
The sheriff’s office later confirmed that Byrd cooperated with police and confessed to having a physical altercation with Angela on June 16, which allegedly resulted in her death.
Weeks of Concealment
Authorities say that after the death, Charles Byrd lived with his wife’s body for weeks, attempting to mask the odor using household products. A relative, who was the first to alert the police, stated that Byrd confessed to the killing, also noting the unpleasant smell coming from the residence.
After Byrd’s arrest, police were able to confirm his presence outside his home, where he surrendered peacefully.
Legal and Employment Consequences
Charles Byrd was charged with tampering with evidence, specifically for attempting to impair a human corpse, and was held on a $200,000 bond. Following his arrest, Byrd was fired from his job as a janitor at a San Antonio school district.
A spokesperson from the district clarified that Byrd did not have direct contact with students while employed there.
At this point, Charles Byrd faces a charge of tampering with evidence, but authorities expect additional charges, including murder, once the autopsy results are released. The case remains under investigation as the community is left shocked by this tragic event.
