A Baytown man is facing murder charges after allegedly searching online for ways to justify killing his fiancé before the fatal shooting. Authorities say Ty Vaughn, 31, attempted to stage the crime as a suicide after shooting his fiancé, 27-year-old Luis Banos Norberto, on Jan. 14.
Crime Unfolds in Baytown Apartment
The tragic incident took place inside the couple’s second-floor unit at the Crosby Green apartments on Crosby Cedar Bayou Road. Initially, Vaughn claimed he returned home to find Norberto dead after an argument. However, police uncovered inconsistencies in his account through surveillance footage and witness statements.
According to investigators, Vaughn was caught on video returning home at 4:05 a.m., contradicting his claim that he was not present at the time of the shooting. Shortly after his arrival, two neighbors reported hearing a gunshot. At 4:27 a.m., Vaughn texted Norberto—who was already deceased—writing, “Babe? Babe, why are you not texting back?!” It wasn’t until 5:38 a.m., over an hour and a half later, that Vaughn called 911, telling dispatchers, “My spouse is dead. Help. My life is over.”
Disturbing Google Search Raises Questions
During their investigation, police discovered that Vaughn had searched online for, “Can I kill an illegal human?” Authorities noted that he also repeatedly mentioned Norberto’s immigration status during interviews, despite it not being a focus of their questioning.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found Norberto’s body lying on the bed with a rifle positioned against his arm in an apparent attempt to stage a suicide. A torn photo of the couple was also discovered nearby. Forensic evidence indicated that Norberto had been shot in the eye with the same rifle.
Suspect’s Behavior Raises Red Flags
Before being named a suspect, Vaughn spoke with reporters on Feb. 4. When asked if he had spoken to Norberto the day of the murder, he told ABC13 Houston: “I don’t know. The police know all the details.” When pressed about his interactions with law enforcement, he added, “I don’t know. I’ve been kind of not great. I haven’t really been going to police looking for answers.” His reaction to condolences was equally unsettling: “I mean, it is what it is.”
Legal Proceedings Underway
Vaughn was arrested and his bond was set at $500,000. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday morning as the case continues to unfold. Neighbors, many of whom only recently learned of the murder, expressed shock and concern over the tragic turn of events in their community.
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