A Texas woman has been arrested in the death of her husband nearly nine months after he was found fatally shot in a car along the side of a road, according to authorities.
Deputies discovered Lonnie Moore was shot in the head on June 15, 2025, when they were called to a parked car in New Caney, which is about a 30-mile drive northeast from Houston, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Lonnie’s body was inside the vehicle, which had still been running.
“The scene initially appeared to suggest a suicide,” the sheriff’s office said in a Thursday, March 5, news release.
“As the investigation progressed, evidence was uncovered that contradicted the initial assessment of a self-inflicted wound,” the agency said.
A monthslong investigation ultimately linked Lonnie’s wife, Breyanai Moore, to his killing, the sheriff’s office announced.
Authorities arrested Breyanai, 31, on a murder charge on Wednesday, March 4, in connection with the death of her husband, who was 33 when he was killed, according to the agency.
It was not currently clear whether Breyanai is represented by a lawyer or entered a plea as of Friday, March 6.
Breyanai was booked in the Montgomery County Jail, where she is being held without bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
Though they were married, Breyanai and Lonnie had separated about two years ago, according to court documents obtained by KTRK-TV. They had a 5-year-old daughter together.
Breyanai’s friend told investigators that before Lonnie’s death, they bought Breyanai a prepaid “burner” phone, which the friend said Breyanai used to call Lonnie the day he was killed, court documents say, according to the TV station.
Breyanai is accused of calling Lonnie to have him pick her up in his car, according to court documents, the TV station reported.
Breyanai allegedly entered the back seat of the vehicle and shot Lonnie, court documents say, according to KTRK-TV.
During the investigation, authorities spoke with Breyanai’s mother, who said that her daughter had expressed that she “hated” her husband, the TV station reported. Her mother also told investigators that her daughter was seemingly experiencing guilt following the fatal shooting.
Murder is a first-degree felony in Texas, where the penalty for a conviction of the offense ranges between five and 99 years in prison, according to Clancy & Clancy Attorneys at Law, a firm based in Dallas.
If someone is convicted of capital murder, they could face a life prison sentence or the death penalty, the law firm reports online.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
