Derek Fischer, a 31-year-old Texas man, is facing murder charges after the discovery of a woman’s body in a shallow grave.
The investigation began when authorities received a tip that led them to a shallow grave at 11000 Fuqua Street in Houston.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences was called to the scene, and the body was identified as 45-year-old Jennifer Ramirez.
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Her cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. At the time, there were no known witnesses or suspects in the case, leaving investigators with a daunting task ahead.
“Houston Police Department homicide detectives were conducting an investigation in the area near the above address and located what appeared to be a grave. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences responded to the scene, and a body was found,” said HPD Homicide Division Detectives J. Jorsch and D. Lunceford.
Despite the initial lack of leads, diligent police work, witness statements, and evidence eventually led investigators to Derek Fischer as the prime suspect in Ramirez’s murder.
As the investigation into Derek Fischer unfolded, details about his background and his relationship with Jennifer Ramirez began to emerge.
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Fischer had a history of violence, serving deferred adjudication for a separate family assault. It was revealed that Fischer and Ramirez were dating at the time of her alleged killing, but the motive behind the crime remains unknown.
Investigators say on Saturday, April 27, a homicide detective received information on Fischer’s whereabouts, and he was taken into custody by HPD Northbelt Patrol Division officers with assistance from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Fischer, 31, now faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence. The arrest came after a coordinated effort between the Houston Police Department’s Northbelt Patrol Division and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
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Following his arrest, Fischer appeared in probable cause court, where his bond was set at $150,000.
The court revealed that Fischer was already serving deferred adjudication for a separate family assault, which raises questions about his propensity for violence.
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