This is such a sad story. My heart goes out to the Garza family and their friends.


Elderly Man Charged with Killing Mom of 4
Created On: Tuesday, 21 Apr 2009, 11:04 AM CDT

DALLAS - A 74-year-old former school bus driver is charged with murdering his friend, a former teacher and mother of four who has been missing for days.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, 74-year-old Leroy Tellgren killed Kathleen Garza sometime after the pair met for coffee at a Coppell grocery store on April 16.

Late Monday night, police found the 49-year-old's purse in Tellgren's pickup, which they said appeared to have blood spattered around its interior and which was missing pieces of its passenger seat, according to the affidavit.

It also stated that the suspect had Garza's watch and two of her rings.

Additionally, about a mile from Tellgren's home, officers found inside a trash bin a bag containing Garza's apparently blood-soaked denim jacket. It also contained seat foam and fabric, and a seatbelt, all of which appeared were from his vehicle and spattered with blood, the document stated.

According to police, surveillance video from the Market Street grocery store at which Garza was last seen showed her with Tellgren getting into his pickup.

Tellgren faces a capital murder charge.

He and Garza apparently knew each other from their time working for the Dallas County School District.

Tellgren worked as a school bus driver and Garza was a teacher.

Garza's husband, Raul, said the pair had been friends for five years. He said he was encouraged by the arrest but hoped officials would locate his wife's body.

This is just so sad. I don't what other words to use.

Still no word to date on the location of Kathy Garza.
Prayers of love, hope, and peace to the Garza family.

Why does that man just give in and tell where the body is? They might even go easier on him if he would.

I didn't know until today that an area in TC was searched: Hidden Cove Park. Lewisville Lake is apparently a pretty strong potential area. Be on the lookout for anything odd. This makes me so sad and sick to think about.


Fox 4 video that mentions search in TC: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/Search ... Mom_Suspen


Search for Missing Mom Suspended
Created On: Wednesday, 22 Apr 2009, 6:52 PM CDT

Melissa Cutler
COPPELL, Texas - Coppell police met with trained searchers Wednesday to try to solve the murder mystery of a mother of four. They had no luck.

Kathy Garza disappeared a week ago. A family friend was arrested for killing her .

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, 74-year-old Leroy Tellgren killed Garza sometime after the pair met for coffee at a Coppell grocery store on April 16.

Late Monday night, police found the 49-year-old's purse in Tellgren's pickup, which they said appeared to have blood spattered around its interior and which was missing pieces of its passenger seat, according to the affidavit.

It also stated that the suspect had Garza's watch and two of her rings.

Additionally, about a mile from Tellgren's home, officers found inside a trash bin a bag containing Garza's apparently blood-soaked denim jacket. It also contained seat foam and fabric, and a seatbelt, all of which appeared were from his vehicle and spattered with blood, the document stated.

Police have not yet found a body, though.

Crews on ATVs and with dogs searched several areas around Lewisville Lake on Wednesday. They spent some time near Hidden Cove Parks and Marina and went into nearby neighborhoods.

According to a press release, police have searched and eliminated a large area.

At the end of the day, police temporarily suspended their search. They said they will resume if new information or tips come in.

Tellgren faces a capital murder charge.

He and Garza apparently knew each other from their time working for the Coppell Independant School District.

Tellgren worked as a school bus driver and Garza was a teacher.

Garza's husband, Raul, said the pair had been friends for five years. He said he was encouraged by the arrest but hoped officials would locate his wife's body.