Elderly Texas Woman Murdered In Home After Reporting a Previous Break-In Attempt
An 87-year-old Texas woman was found dead of "homicidal violence" after previously reporting a break-in attempt the day before, according to NBCDFW.
Anita Daniel Thompson was known and loved by her neighbors, who held a vigil in her honor that was live-streamed on Facebook.
The suspect was identified as 58-year-old Andre Stefan Buggs, who turned himself in this past Sunday (July 11th, 2021). He's now in Dallas County Jail facing a murder charge. His potential motive is currently unknown. What is known is that Andre is 6'3" and over 200 pounds, so if he murdered Anita, it must have been quite easy for him to overpower a woman so advanced in years. Perhaps that's what makes this feel so particularly despicable.
Police did not come to the scene of the break-in attempt because it was the 4th of July weekend and they were "overwhelmed," according to FOX 4 News:
Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold says 911 dispatch was flooded with calls over the July Fourth weekend.
"District 4 does need additional support from DPD and other public safety officials," she said. "It got to the point where you couldn’t discern whether it was a gunshot or fireworks."
FOX 4 brought to her attention the claim that Thompson called for help but didn’t receive assistance the day before she was found dead. Arnold says she’ll look into it.
My grandmother's name was Anita, too, and if she were alive today, she'd be in her 80s. The thought of someone attempting a break-in at her home, a break-in that was never investigated, then murdering her the next day, makes me absolutely ill. It's incredibly important that we watch out for our neighbors, especially the elderly and others who may be seen as easy targets for this type of violent crime.