Azle police say they arrested 21-year-old Kruz Dean Wanser yesterday in connection with the suspicious death of a local woman whose body was discovered inside a home on Sunday. The woman was identified as 37-year-old Margaret Dale Pennington. Investigators say the cause of her death has not yet been determined, and the case remains open while officers gather evidence and talk with potential witnesses.
Pennington’s family publicly identified her, and her obituary lists her age as 37 and her date of death as Sunday. The notice and funeral details were posted online, according to her obituary on Legacy.
According to Azle police, Wanser was taken into custody Thursday with help from the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division’s Texas Rangers, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Parker County Special Crimes Unit. Police allege he faces charges that include possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence related to a corpse, and say he is wanted on parole violations. Investigators have not said whether prosecutors will pursue homicide charges as the case develops, and officials emphasize that the cause of Pennington’s death is still under review, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Police Ask For Tips And Video
Azle police are asking anyone who might have information, photos or video from around the time of Pennington’s death to contact investigators through the department’s non-emergency line at 817-444-3221. That number appears on the Azle Police Department website, which also explains how to file public information requests. Officials say even minor details, such as a doorbell-camera clip or a dash-cam recording, could help them build a clearer timeline, according to the Azle Police Department website.
What Authorities Say And Next Steps
Wanser remains in custody while investigators prepare case materials for prosecutors and follow additional leads. Parker County authorities and the Azle Police Department will work with the district attorney’s office on charging decisions and on how the case moves forward, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. For now, police say the investigation is active and that they plan to release more information to the public as it becomes available.
