Homicide Victim's Dog Stayed at Crime Scene and Helped Police Identify Her Remains: Report

A slain Texas woman’s body was found burning at the scene of a fire. Prosecutors say her dog helped police identify her.

Amanda Rose Reynolds was the victim of a homicide in April 2023 in Robinson, Texas, according to KWTX, Fox 44 and the Waco Tribune-Herald. 

Derek J. Daigneault, 26, is charged with her murder, according to McClellan County, Texas jail records. KWTX reports that Daigneault and Reynolds were cousins.

During opening statements at Daigneault’s trial, prosecutors say Reynolds’ body was found in a plastic storage container and had been set on fire, KWTX reported. She had been shot in the head.

As Reynolds’ body burned, firefighters noticed that a white labradoodle named Titan refused to leave the scene, the outlet reported, citing prosecutors. The dog eluded authorities who tried to catch him before a thunderstorm came down on the area, according to KWTX.

But the next morning, a Robinson man discovered Titan at the exact location where Reynolds’ body was found, prosecutors reportedly said. The man took the dog to authorities, who discovered the animal was microchipped, which helped them identify Reynolds, KWTX reported. 

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Daigneault, who was arrested in Kansas, according to KWTX, Fox 44 and KSNW, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.

KWTX reported that during opening statements, Daigneault’s attorney said there was no evidence linking his client to the crime scene and asked the jury to not fall for the prosecution’s “dog and pony show.”