Dogs are so loyal to us, right to the very end. In some cases, they’re even loyal after we’re gone. That was the remarkable case recently, when one loyal dog helped police solve the horrific murder of his owner.
On April 5, 2023, police in Robinson, Texas responded to reports of a nearby brush fire, and discovered a dead body on the scene, “burned beyond recognition” in a large plastic storage container, according to the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office.
Nearby, a small white labradoodle dog was barking and reportedly refused to leave the area of the body. Police were unable to capture the dog, and the next day a citizen found the same dog back at the scene, as if looking for the body.
The citizen contacted Robinson Animal Control, who took in the dog and discovered he had a microchip. They learned the dog’s name was Titan, and he belonged to 26-year-old Mandy Rose Reynolds of San Marcos.
Based off the dog’s behavior, police suspected that the unidentifiable body was Reynolds. This was later confirmed as a medical examiner matched dental records.
Police searched her property and found that it was completely empty with all her possessions removed. Her car, a Honda Accord, was also missing, so police ran it through a license plate reader database and discovered the car was in Wichita, Kansas.
On April 8, officers in Wichita found the car and attempted to pull the driver over, but the driver sped off, resulting in a high-speed chase. When Reynolds’ car crashed into another vehicle, the suspect fled on food, but was soon apprehended by the police.
The suspect, it turned out, was the victim’s cousin, Derek Daigneault. Police also found a .380 handgun in the car, consistent with a burnt shell casing found near Reynolds’ body, and surveillance footage showed him purchasing a large storage container that matched the one found in Robinson, as well as a shovel and gas can.
The footage also showed Titan in the car with Daigneault, sticking his head out the window. Police say that the dog, who loyally stayed by his owner’s side after her horrific murder, ended up being a key to solving this case.
“The keys to this case were a heroic and loyal dog named Titan and extraordinary cooperation between law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions and states,” Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin, Assistant District Attorneys from the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office, said in a statement. “That combination has delivered justice for Mandy and safety from a violent and dangerous criminal.”
On November 7, Derek Daigneault was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Reynolds. His attorney says he plans to appeal the verdict.
Meanwhile, hero dog Titan is doing well, as he was adopted by a close friend of his late owner. Attorney Ryan Calvert told NBC News that the dog was “doing great.”
This murder case is horrific, and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim, but we are grateful the killer was brought to justice, thanks in large part to Mandy’s loyal dog Titan ❤️
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