Missing Texas mom’s husband found teeth, blood in bedroom before son was arrested with her body in trunk

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (TCD) -- New details are emerging regarding the death of a 49-year-old mother who was found inside her trunk following a car chase with police in Nebraska.

Michelle Roenz and her son Tyler Roenz were reported missing Oct. 13, and Michelle’s car was located in Nebraska the next day. Nebraska State Police initiated a high-speed pursuit with Tyler, and the 17-year-old crashed the car into a tree and was hospitalized with "serious" injuries. State Police then discovered Michelle Roenz’s body in the vehicle.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said preliminary reports indicate Michelle Roenz died from strangulation and blunt force trauma.

Tyler remains in custody in Nebraska, but he is currently charged in Harris County with unauthorized use of a vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint, Michelle Roenz’s husband, Manfred Roenz, returned home Oct. 13 at noon and noticed his Mazda was missing. He said Tyler drove it to and from school sometimes, but Tyler was "prohibited from traveling in the vehicle outside of Harris County."

When Manfred went into the garage, he reportedly saw a human tooth and a "trail of blood from the garage to the master bedroom," where he found at least four more human teeth on the carpet. He saw Michelle’s purse and cellphone in the bathroom, and after understanding no one else was home, he called 911.

Manfred reportedly tried tracking Tyler and Michelle’s whereabouts on an app, but Tyler’s tracking had been deleted and his phone appeared to be turned off.

The responding Harris County deputy went to the Roenzs' residence on Birch Arbor Court and reportedly noticed "other signs of apparent foul play in the home." Surveillance footage reportedly showed the Mazda — the same car used in the high-speed chase in Nebraska — pulling out of the garage at 11:44 a.m.

Credit card statements reportedly showed activity at several gas stations across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

According to KHOU, Tyler was reportedly out on bond after he was arrested in April for allegedly sexually assaulting another high school student. Court documents cited by KHOU report Tyler allegedly picked up the girl from school and took her phone away from her. When she tried to take it back, he allegedly bit and punched her, ripped off her shirt and bra, then groped her. Tyler also reportedly attempted to take her pants off, then pushed her out of the car and kicked her in the face.

MORE:

• Nebraska police find missing Texas mom's body after car chase with her son - TCD
• Missing - Harris County Sheriff's Office
• Troopers Arrest Driver, Find Deceased Person in Trunk After Pursuit - Nebraska State Police
• Homicide Release Record, Birch Arbor Ct - Harris County Sheriff's Office
• State of Texas vs. Tyler Roenz
• Cause of death released for Humble mother found dead in car trunk in Nebraska - KHOU