What started as a routine welfare check at a Fort Worth apartment yesterday turned into a homicide investigation, as police say the death of a woman found inside may be tied to domestic violence.
Officers were first called to an apartment in the 7300 block of Harris Parkway at 11:53 a.m. for a welfare check, according to The Dallas Morning News. Police searched the surrounding area but did not initially locate the woman. It was not until later that evening, after obtaining a warrant around 7 p.m., that officers went inside the unit and found her dead, along with what detectives describe as evidence of a crime.
Investigators say they are preparing an arrest warrant for a known male suspect connected to the case. As of today, no one has been taken into custody, and the investigation remains active.
Police response and where to send tips
Fort Worth police are asking anyone with information about what happened to step forward. Tipsters can call the department at 817-392-4222, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.
Those who prefer to stay anonymous can reach out to Tarrant County Crime Stoppers online or by calling 817-469-8477.
Domestic violence in local context
Police say they are treating the woman’s death as a possible domestic violence case, underscoring how intimate partner violence continues to be a persistent and deadly problem.
Nationally, data from the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey show that roughly one in four women experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. In Texas, reporting and tracking by the Texas Council on Family Violence document ongoing local prevalence and annual intimate partner fatalities across the state.
What investigators say is next
Detectives are continuing to follow leads and build their case as they work on an arrest warrant for the male suspect they have identified, The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will formally identify the woman and determine her official cause of death. Police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area on Wednesday to contact investigators.
Resources for survivors and those who need help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-799-7233 or by texting START to 88788. The Texas Council on Family Violence also maintains statewide resources for survivors of intimate partner abuse.
