Expand / Collapse search
☰
Flood Warning
from MON 1:09 AM CDT until MON 10:00 AM CDT, Polk County, San Jacinto County
12
River Flood Warning
from MON 3:23 AM CDT until TUE 9:52 AM CDT, Polk County, San Jacinto County
Flash Flood Warning
from MON 2:32 AM CDT until MON 5:30 AM CDT, Liberty County, Montgomery County, San Jacinto County
River Flood Warning
from MON 5:08 PM CDT until THU 8:09 PM CDT, Liberty County, Polk County
Flood Warning
from MON 2:10 AM CDT until MON 10:00 AM CDT, Grimes County, Brazos County
River Flood Warning
is in effect, Chambers County, Liberty County, Polk County, Polk County, San Jacinto County
Flash Flood Warning
from MON 4:03 AM CDT until MON 7:15 AM CDT, Chambers County, Harris County, Liberty County
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
from MON 4:34 AM CDT until MON 5:15 AM CDT, Chambers County, Harris County
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
from MON 4:40 AM CDT until MON 5:00 AM CDT, Chambers County, Liberty County
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
until MON 9:00 AM CDT, Chambers County, Liberty County
Flood Watch
until MON 10:00 AM CDT, Grimes County, Montgomery County, Polk County, San Jacinto County, Walker County
Beach Hazard Statement
until MON 9:00 PM CDT, Galveston Island

Polk County arrest: Suspect charged with capital murder in missing man's death

By
Published  December 30, 2023 3:16pm CST
San Jacinto County
FOX 26 Houston

A suspect has been charged with capital murder in the death of a man who was reported missing after a house fire in Polk County last week, authorities say.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says Tyler Williams was charged after an investigation that spanned three counties, involved a SWAT standoff earlier this week, and resulted in the discovery of a body believed to be the remains of the missing man.

PREVIOUS: San Jacinto County standoff: Suspect in custody following hours-long standoff

According to Sheriff Byron Lyons, neighbors had reported the man missing after a fire at his home on Dec. 23.

As authorities investigated, they discovered that the missing man’s home had been burglarized before the fire, the sheriff says.

On Thursday, official said Tyler Williams was involved in a SWAT standoff at a home in the Holiday Villages subdivision in San Jacinto County. Authorities said he was believed to be connected to the house fire on Dec. 23.

Authorities say Polk County investigators found a vehicle driven by Williams at the San Jacinto County home around noon, but he refused to come out. SWAT and deputies from San Jacinto County, Polk County and Mongomery County responded to the scene, and authorities say Williams exited his house shortly after 5 p.m.

Man in custody following hours-long standoff

A suspect is in custody following an hours-long standoff in San Jacinto County on Thursday. (NOTE: This video is from Dec. 28.)

Records show Williams was then booked into jail on a charge of burglary of habitation.

FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio!

The investigation into the missing man’s disappearance continued and led deputies to Liberty County. That’s where, Sheriff Lyons says, a body was found in the Horseshoe Lakes Estates subdivision, near the Trinity River.

The sheriff says the body is strongly believed to be that of the missing man, but the medical examiner’s office will confirm his identity.

It’s also unclear when the man died, but the sheriff says investigators believe the man was killed before the burglary and the subsequent house fire.

The sheriff says Williams was then charged with capital murder. Jail records show his bond was set at $1 million for the charge.