Denton Police Department officials have charged 53-year-old Michael Tooley in connection with the July murder of 20-year-old Dylan Gurley. According to the City of Denton, the incident occurred on July 23, when officers were dispatched to an abandoned house in the 3700 block of Holland Lane after receiving reports of an unconscious individual. Despite prompt transportation to the hospital, Gurley was pronounced dead.
Investigations revealed that both Tooley and the victim were residing at the abandoned property. Witness interviews indicated that Tooley had been vocal about his frustration over some missing money on the day of Gurley's death. He had allegedly made threats about harming or killing the next person he suspected of theft. Witnesses also noted previous disturbances between Tooley and Gurley, framing a context of ongoing conflict.
Adding to the suspicions, Tooley was present with the individual who called 911 upon Gurley's discovery but fled before law enforcement could arrive. Further complicating Tooley's situation, he was arrested on July 24 on an unrelated indecent exposure warrant and has been in custody since. While admitting to a history of altercations with Gurley, Tooley denied involvement in the murder during initial interrogations with detectives.
However, evidence that may suggest otherwise has surfaced. Conversations recorded from Tooley's jailhouse phone calls contained several comments that seemed to implicate him in the crime. With additional proof placing Tooley and Gurley in the same location during the assumed time frame for the murder, authorities decided to move forward. On August 16, detectives obtained a murder warrant for Tooley’s arrest, though bail for the new charge remains undecided as he stays within the confines of Denton County Jail.
