A Wichita man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his cousin, 26-year-old Mandy Rose Reynolds, whose body was found burned in a field in Robinson, Texas, last year. Derek Daigneault, 29, was convicted Thursday after a dramatic investigation that involved the help of a very loyal dog.
The tragic events began on April 5, 2023, when Robinson police responded to a report of a brush fire and discovered Reynolds’ body, burned beyond recognition. Nearby, a white dog named Titan was found barking frantically, refusing to leave the scene. Police later learned Titan was microchipped and belonged to Reynolds.
Authorities from San Marcos, where Reynolds was from, were contacted. Upon checking Reynolds’ apartment, they found it completely empty, with all her belongings missing, including her black Honda Accord. Police tracked her vehicle to Wichita, Kansas, where on April 8, they spotted the car and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Daigneault, led officers on a high-speed chase that reached over 100 mph before crashing into another vehicle.
Daigneault fled on foot, hiding in a nearby grocery store, but was quickly apprehended by police. In Reynolds’ car, officers found a .380 handgun, which later linked Daigneault to the crime.
Further investigation revealed that Reynolds’ body had been burned inside a large plastic storage container, a purchase Daigneault made at a Walmart in the days before her death. Surveillance footage from the store showed Daigneault buying a storage container, a shovel, and a gas can, leaving with Reynolds’ car and her dog, Titan, visible in the vehicle.
In addition to the physical evidence, an autopsy confirmed that Reynolds died from a gunshot wound to the head. A .380 bullet recovered from her body matched the handgun found in Daigneault’s possession.
“The heroic actions of Titan and the coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies were key to solving this case and ensuring justice for Mandy,” said Assistant District Attorneys Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin.
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