A Texas man has been charged with murder after police say he fatally stabbed his girlfriend and stuffed her body in a freezer inside an abandoned home where the victim's frozen remains were discovered by authorities last month.
Kendrick Brown, 51, was arrested on June 18 and is accused of killing 27-year-old Mariah Murray, whose body was found on May 10 in an East Oak Cliff residence. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office investigation revealed that Murray had been stabbed multiple times, including a wound to her head that penetrated her brain.
Background
According to an arrest warrant obtained by local Fox affiliate KDFW, Brown and Murray were involved in a romantic relationship prior to the discovery of her body. Neighbors told police they frequently observed unfamiliar individuals entering and leaving the property, which authorities described as abandoned. One witness reported seeing Murray and Brown engaged in multiple arguments inside the home.
Authorities were first alerted to the residence on May 10 when several people exited the property and informed neighbors that a deceased individual was inside. Officers responded to the call and discovered Murray's body frozen solid inside a freezer still operating in the master bedroom. The medical examiner transported the victim in the same freezer to preserve evidence, and upon thawing, confirmed she had been stabbed multiple times.
The Investigation
Investigators documented significant blood evidence throughout the master bedroom, including stains on the carpet and walls. A military-style knife wrapped in cloth and a towel was recovered hidden behind drywall in the residence, according to the arrest warrant.
Neighbor tips led authorities to identify Brown as a person of interest, and officials subsequently confirmed his relationship with Murray. Surveillance footage from the neighborhood allegedly captured Brown walking near the property while carrying a knife matching the description of the weapon later recovered by investigators.
When questioned by detectives, Brown acknowledged being inside the house but denied ever entering the master bedroom. However, a search of his cellphone and tablet revealed videos depicting both Brown and Murray together in that very room. A witness told police he observed Murray lying on the closet floor just inside the master bedroom three days before her body was discovered. The same witness reported that when suspect Kendrick Brown noticed him, he yelled and shut the bedroom door.
Brown has been charged with murder and is being held in the Dallas County Jail on $250,000 bond. Court records did not immediately list his next scheduled appearance as of publication time.
Key Takeaways
- Kendrick Brown, 51, was arrested June 18 and charged with murder in the death of Mariah Murray, 27
- Police say Murray was stabbed multiple times; one wound penetrated her brain
- The victim was discovered frozen solid inside a running freezer in the master bedroom of an abandoned East Oak Cliff home on May 10
- A military-style knife wrapped in cloth and towel was found concealed behind drywall at the scene
- Brown is being held on $250,000 bond in Dallas County Jail; his next court date was not immediately available
What's Next
Brown is awaiting his first court appearance in Dallas County, where prosecutors are expected to outline the evidence supporting the murder charge. The case remains under active investigation as authorities continue to piece together the timeline leading to Murray's death. Defense attorneys have not yet filed motions or made public statements regarding the charges.