By Sarah Al-Shaik, ABC13 Houston.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Nine months after a man was found shot to death inside a vehicle in New Caney, authorities said they arrested the victim’s wife.
On Thursday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested 31-year-old Breyanai Moore in connection with the murder of her husband, 33-year-old Lonnie Moore.
Lonnie Moore was found shot to death at 9 a.m. on June 15, 2025, in the 23900 block of Northcrest Trail. At the time, authorities said they found his body inside a running vehicle that was parked on the side of the road.
Initially, authorities said the scene suggested a suicide. However, through a months-long investigation, authorities said evidence led them to Breyanai Moore.
According to court documents, the two shared a five-year-old daughter together, but had been separated for two years.
Detectives said Breyanai told them she replied to a text from Lonnie that morning and told him she planned to file for divorce. They also said she told them she had been home all night with their daughter.
But court documents said neighborhood Flock cameras told a different story. Investigators said they captured a woman, who looked like Breyanai, standing near the entrance of Moore’s neighborhood earlier that morning.
Phone records also showed repeated calls between Moore and a prepaid “burner” number that morning.
A phone, court documents said, was bought by a friend of Breyanai.
That friend, according to court documents, then told investigators that Breyanai later admitted that she used the phone to lure Lonnie into picking her up, climbed into the back seat behind him, and shot him when he tried to grab something from her.
Investigators said Breyanai’s mother also later confirmed the woman captured on those neighborhood cameras was her daughter.
Court documents say she also told them Breyanai hated Lonnie and often wished him harm. She said after his death, Breyanai lost weight, cried frequently, and appeared consumed by guilt.
The sheriff’s office said Breyanai was arrested and booked into the Montgomery County jail on Wednesday, charged with murder and being held without bond.
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This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston. For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine and ABC13 Houston.