Several media outlets say that a Texas lawyer who had handled domestic abuse cases was allegedly murdered on New Year’s Day by her spouse.
According to a statement from the Hood County Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey Bryan McLaughlin, 58, of Granbury, was detained and charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of his wife, Venisa McLaughlin, 58, on January 1.
The sheriff’s office stated that the investigation is still ongoing on Tuesday, therefore few specifics on the former prosecutor’s death were available.
According to a Facebook post by County Attorney Matt Mills, Venisa worked as an associate attorney for Hood County for more than five years.
“I woke up this New Year’s morning to hear heartbreaking news. Our former assistant county attorney, who started with me on my first day in office, was killed this morning,” the statement reads.
“She served our office for over five years, and she helped us through some trying times at the start of my first term. She also helped tremendously in my re-election campaign in 2020. Our prayers are with her two daughters and the rest of her family,” the statement continues.
She possessed a Texas law licence since 2007, according to the state bar’s official website.
Justice of the Peace Roger Howell is conducting an inquest into Venisa’s death, Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds told Law and Crime.
According to the police press release, Jeffrey is being held in the Hood County Jail under a $250,000 bond. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he had filed a plea or hired a lawyer to represent him.
