In a chilling case out of Bexar County, Texas, 49-year-old Charles Vandoil Byrd has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his 44-year-old wife, Angela Byrd. The case came to light after Byrd confessed to a relative, prompting authorities to investigate and uncover a gruesome scene at the couple’s home in south Bexar County.

On June 16, 2025, Byrd reportedly came home early to surprise his wife but claimed he perceived cues that she was expecting another man. This suspicion led to a verbal altercation that escalated into violence. According to court documents, Byrd admitted to choking Angela with his hands and biting her face multiple times, resulting in her death. Instead of reporting the incident, Byrd allegedly remained in their single-wide trailer on the 22100 block of Pleasanton Road, living alongside her decomposing body for 32 days.

During this period, Byrd took steps to conceal his crime, wrapping Angela’s body in plastic, carpet, and blankets, secured with ratchet straps. He also attempted to mask the odor of decomposition, lying to family members about the source of the foul smell. On July 18, Byrd confessed to his son, Jared Byrd, stating, “I killed her,” referring to his wife. Alarmed, Jared locked himself in his trailer, informed his girlfriend, and reported the confession to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the Byrd residence just after midnight on Saturday, July 19, following the relative’s call. Upon arrival, they were immediately met with the unmistakable smell of decomposition. Inside, they discovered a body—believed to be Angela Byrd’s—wrapped in plastic and secured with ratchet straps. An X-ray scan revealed a human skeletal structure in an advanced stage of decomposition, with forensic autopsy results noting “near decapitation” due to the effects of time. The medical examiner is still working to confirm the identity and official cause of death.

Byrd fled the scene before deputies arrived, hiding at a nearby vacant property in the 21300 block of Pleasanton Road, about a mile away, where he had previously performed plumbing work. The homeowner, Lonnie Williamson, initially denied knowing Byrd’s whereabouts but later admitted that Byrd arrived on July 19, frantically claiming, “I murdered my wife.” Williamson allowed Byrd to stay and wash his clothes but grew uneasy. Authorities tracked Byrd using GPS data from his 2025 Ram 1500, found concealed under a tarp, and apprehended him on Sunday, July 20, after a day-long manhunt involving a SWAT team.

During questioning, Byrd provided a detailed confession, describing the violent encounter with his wife in a “matter-of-fact” manner. He claimed the altercation stemmed from his belief that Angela was cheating, though he told investigators to check her phone for evidence, which has not been recovered. Disturbingly, Byrd, who had no prior criminal record, made a flippant remark to investigators, stating, “Go big or go home,” in reference to his first offense. Sheriff Javier Salazar described the comment as “shocking,” noting it would stay with him for years.

Byrd was initially charged with two counts of tampering with evidence, including one count of intent to impair a human corpse, with a combined bond set at $200,000. On Wednesday, July 23, he was formally charged with murder, with an additional bond of $250,000. Court records indicate Byrd is under a no-contact order with the victim’s family, is prohibited from possessing firearms, and would be under house arrest if he posts bond. Authorities also recovered evidence, including a Glock 9mm handgun, cleaning materials, and handwritten notes, from both the crime scene and the property where Byrd was hiding.

Byrd, previously employed as a master plumber at Floresville Independent School District since 2021, was fired following his arrest. The district confirmed he had no direct contact with students during his tenure. Sheriff Salazar noted that Byrd is undergoing a mental health evaluation and was placed in a suicide prevention smock during booking, suggesting potential concerns about his mental state. Byrd claimed to a reporter from KSAT that he suffered a “mental break” and expressed remorse, saying, “I’m so sorry. I loved my wife,” while apologizing to his children.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office also reported “several other arrests” related to the case, though no additional suspects or details have been disclosed. Sheriff Salazar highlighted the role of domestic violence in the incident, noting that Bexar County has one of the highest domestic homicide rates in Texas, with 10 of the 19 homicides reported in the county last year linked to domestic violence.

As the investigation continues, authorities await the medical examiner’s report to confirm Angela Byrd’s identity and determine the official cause and manner of death, which could lead to further charges. Byrd remains in custody at the Bexar County Jail, where he currently has no legal representation.