Woman found dead; suspect caught in Fort Worth

A woman's body was found at this home in 3100 block of West Kansas Avenue Tuesday morning. A woman's body was found at this home in 3100 block of West Kansas Avenue Tuesday morning. Photo: Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram Photo: Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Woman found dead; suspect caught in Fort Worth 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

UPDATE:

The 38-year-old "armed and dangerous" suspect wanted in connection with the death of a Midland woman was arrested at about 6 p.m. Tuesday near Fort Worth.

Midland Police Department investigators, who are on their way to Fort Worth now, considered Leeroy Laney the primary suspect in the death of 36-year-old Stephanie Turner, according to the city's public information officer Sara Bustilloz.

Turner's children found their mother dead Tuesday morning in the 3100 block of West Kansas. They told an acquaintance, who called the police at about 9:14 a.m.

Police have not determined the cause of death, Bustilloz said. No stab or gunshot wounds were found on Turner’s body, and an autopsy will be done in Tarrant County.

According to police, Laney -- who has not been charged -- has an extensive police record and was last seen driving a black 2007 Ford Edge SUV bearing license plate BX75718.

Bustilloz described Laney as a black male with brown eyes and a shaved head/black hair. The 5-foot, 11-inch man -- weighing 165 pounds -- was believed to be armed and dangerous.

The children have been transferred to family members living in the area. Bustilloz said she expects a long investigation to take place into Turner’s death.

This is the fourth homicide investigation this year in Midland County. The most recent homicide occurred June 28 when 41-year-old Midlander Latonya Lucille Anders was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in the 500 block of South Clay Street. Carl Wayne Wiley, 48, the alleged shooter, fled the scene and was later found by Border Patrol agents in Sanderson, according to Reporter-Telegram records.

Prior to that, 53-year-old Midlander Alfer Lee Hemphill was shot in the head by a 14-year-old male on May 15 in the 500 block of West Cowden Avenue. The boy and 38-year-old Shermon Valentine Ranson were both arrested May 29 and charged with first-degree murder. Ranson allegedly supplied the boy with the weapon and drove the vehicle used to arrive and depart from the crime scene, according to Reporter-Telegram records.

UPDATE:

Midland police said they are treating the death of a woman found Tuesday morning on Kansas Avenue as a potential homicide. Midland Police Department also said the woman’s live-in boyfriend has been identified as the primary suspect in her death.

The children of 36-year-old Stephanie Turner found their mother dead, according to MPD. They told an acquaintance who had come to their house, in the 3100 block of West Kansas, that their mother died, and the acquaintance then called police around 9:14 a.m. to report that he had found Turner’s body.

Midland police are looking for 39-year-old Leeroy Laney, who is reported to have been Turner’s live-in boyfriend. According to police, Laney -- who has not been charged -- has an extensive police record and he was last seen driving a black 2007 Ford Edge SUV.

Police have not determined the cause of death, according to Midland public information officer Sara Bustilloz. No stab or gunshot wounds were found on Turner’s body, and an autopsy will be done in Tarrant County.

The children have been transferred to family members living in the area. Bustilloz said she expects a long investigation to take place into Turner’s death.

ORIGINAL:

Midland police are reporting a woman is dead in the 3100 block of West Kansas Avenue.

Details are limited at this time but a call came in around 9:14 a.m. that a body was found in a home on Kansas.

City Spokeswoman Sara Bustilloz said police have not ruled out homicide, and next of kin has not been notified.

The investigation is continuing. Check back to mrt.com for more information.