A 37-year-old man, Chad Wayne Christopher, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with a homicide in Lake Travis. Christopher had withdrawn thousands of dollars from the victim’s bank account after the victim was found dead, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a welfare check on an elderly man living in the 16300 block of E. Lake Shore Drive. The man’s relatives had not heard from him for an extended period, and the assisted living caretaker had not been in touch with the family either. Deputies found the man’s body in an advanced stage of decomposition at the residence.
Christopher, who claimed to be the victim’s caretaker, told investigators that the victim had not been feeling well and asked to speak with his attorney. Christopher felt threatened by the victim’s statement and left him in bed, never returning. He admitted to having access to the victim’s bank accounts, which contained over $2 million. Christopher withdrew $100,000 and purchased two plane tickets before being arrested.
The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, and the Travis County Medical Examiner is working to identify the deceased. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Travis County Sheriff’s Office at 512-854-1444.
This tragic incident highlights the importance of being vigilant about who has access to personal information and financial accounts. It serves as a reminder to regularly check in on loved ones who may be vulnerable and to report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly. The case also underscores the diligent work of law enforcement in investigating and solving such crimes to bring justice to the victims and their families.
