Steven McDowell, ex-husband of Crystal McDowell [right], has been charged with murder in her death
Steven McDowell was taken into custody and arraigned on homicide charges on Saturday after the body of Crystal, was discovered in a wooded area in Chambers County.
Crystal Seratte McDowell, 37,went missing a day before Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, last seen on her way to pick up their children from her estranged husband’s home in Baytown.
Steven McDowell, 44, was charged with murder, Saturday.
Addressing the media on the case, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Hawthorne, said it had nine persons of interest before finally arresting Steven McDowell over the weekend.
Crystal McDowell was last seen alive August 25 when she left her boyfriend’s home to go to collect her children from her ex-husband in Houston.
She never showed up and later missed several business appointments, prompting her uncle to report her missing on August 26.
Steven McDowell was arrested in the death of his ex-wife, Crystal Seratte McDowell. Crystal vanished after visit him on Aug 25, a day before Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas
Houston area realtor, Crystal McDowell vanished August 25, a day before Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. her ex-husband was charged in her death Saturday
Four days later Crystal’s Mercedes was found submerged in flood water in the parking lot of a Motel 6. It was recognized by a member of the public who had seen the frantic social media appeals launched by her boyfriend Paul Hargrave and her uncle Jeff Walters.
Crystal McDowell’s remains were discovered more than 20 miles away from her vehicle.
Two weeks after she first disappeared. Earlier, Sheriff Brian Hawthorne told ABC News that ‘Hurricane Harvey is not the reason Crystal McDowell is missing.’ Related articles:
Family search for Houston realtor Crystal McDowell, who remains missing, after disappearing in hours before Hurricane Harvey
Heading out on Aug 25, Crystal told boyfriend Paul Hargrave that she was on her way to her ex-husband Steve McDowell’s home [seen left with Crystal], to collect their children. She simply vanished, until her remains was found in the nearby woods two weeks later.
At the time, Steve claimed she never showed up at his house to collect the children.
He also said he received a text message from her before she was due to arrive in which she described plans to take the children to Dallas to ride out the storm. At the time both Hargrave and Walters were skeptical that Crystal sent the strange text.
Sheriffs later found the black bag she was holding when last seen in Steven McDowell’s home. The bag contained her business paperwork.
Crystal’s black Mercedes SUV was found submerged in flood water at a Motel 6 in Houston, on August 29. Two people seen in the vehicle were arrested, but cops believe they are not connected to the crime
Jeff Walters, seen [right], in photo with Crystal raised his niece after her parents died when she was just 11. He reported her missing and is seeking justice in her death
Sheriff Hawthorne said the McDowell’s children are currently in the care of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Jeff Walters who raised his niece after her parents died when she was only 11, said on his Facebook page, Saturday: “She is a light in the heavens that can never be extinguished…She is an Angel that watches over us all with that bright smile.”
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