A man from Texas, Ty Vaughn, 31, has been arrested for allegedly killing his fiancé, Luis Banos Norberto, and staging the scene to make it look like a suicide. The tragic incident happened on January 14 in their apartment in Baytown, near Houston.
Crime and Investigation
According to police reports, Vaughn shot Norberto in the face and then tried to mislead investigators by positioning a rifle near his fiancé’s body. He even sent fake text messages to Norberto’s phone after the murder, trying to make it seem like he had just discovered his fiancé’s death.
For nearly two months, Vaughn was free. During this time, he even spoke to the media about the case. In an interview with ABC13 on February 4, when asked if he had spoken to Norberto before his death, Vaughn responded, “I haven’t really been going to the police looking for answers.” When the reporter offered condolences, he coldly replied, “I mean, it is what it is.”
What the Evidence Showed
Vaughn initially told police that he had argued with Norberto the night before and left their apartment. He claimed that when he returned at 5:30 a.m., he found Norberto dead in the bedroom.
However, police discovered major inconsistencies in his story:
- Surveillance footage showed Vaughn entering the apartment at 4:05 a.m., contradicting his statement.
- Two neighbors reported hearing a gunshot shortly after 4:05 a.m., meaning Norberto was already dead when Vaughn claimed he found him.
- At 4:25 a.m., Vaughn texted Norberto, “Babe? Babe, why are you not texting back?!?!”—even though Norberto had already been killed.
Shocking Google Search
During their investigation, police searched Vaughn’s phone and discovered that before the murder, he had Googled: “Can I kill an illegal human?”
Additionally, officers noted that Vaughn repeatedly brought up Norberto’s undocumented immigration status without being asked about it.
Current Status
Vaughn was arrested and is now being held on a $500,000 bond.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
