Man sentenced after woman’s dog helps police find her burning body in field

ROBINSON, Texas (TCN) -- A 29-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing his 26-year-old cousin and burning her remains.

The McLennan County District Attorney’s Office announced Nov. 8 that a jury convicted Derek Daigneault of murder in connection with the shooting death of his cousin Mandy Reynolds. Daigneault received a life sentence for the murder conviction.

According to prosecutors, on April 5, 2023, Robinson Police responded to a brush fire on Heston Circle, where an officer found a body ablaze. A dog nearby allegedly "barked frantically" at police and refused to leave.

Officers learned the dog had been sitting near the body all night and was Reynolds’ pet. Police responded to Reynolds’ home and reportedly noticed it was "completely empty" and all of her belongings were removed. Prosecutors said her Honda Accord was also missing.

Police used a license plate reader database and learned her vehicle was in Wichita, Kansas. On April 8, 2023, Wichita Police found the Honda and attempted a traffic stop. Officers pursued the vehicle, and a chase lasted approximately 30 minutes and reached speeds of over 100 mph. According to prosecutors, Reynolds’ vehicle eventually collided with another, and the driver fled on foot and went into a grocery store. Police found the driver and identified him as Daigneault.

According to the district attorney’s office, Wichita Police located a handgun in Reynolds’ car.

Police reportedly determined the victim’s body had been burned inside a large plastic storage container, where they found a shell casing.

San Marcos Police obtained surveillance footage from a Walmart, showing Daigneault buying a plastic storage container matching the one where his cousin’s body was burned. Daigneault was also seen in footage purchasing a shovel and a gas can on April 4, 2023.

According to prosecutors, the Walmart surveillance footage revealed the defendant leaving the store in his cousin’s Honda. The victim’s dog, Titan, is also reportedly seen on video sticking his head out of the vehicle’s window.

On April 7, 2023, prosecutors said San Marcos Police found Reynolds’ items in an abandoned truck near her residence.

A medical examiner positively identified Reynolds through her dental records and determined she died from a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators recovered a bullet from Reynolds’ remains that matched the handgun found in her vehicle.

Assistant McLennan County District Attorneys Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin said in a statement, "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. That combination has delivered justice for Mandy and safety from a violent and dangerous criminal."

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