Boyfriend charged with murder in Baytown teen's death

Jesse Dobbs and Kirsten Fritch

BAYTOWN, Texas – Baytown police have filed murder charges against Jesse Dobbs, 21, in the death of Kirsten Fritch, 16.

Fritch was found stabbed to death in a wooded area in Texas City on Nov. 10.

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Dobbs is being held in the Galveston County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the murders of Fritch's sister and mother, in which they say Dobbs remains a suspect.

A motive for the murder has yet to be determined because Dobbs refuses to cooperate with investigators.

Medical examiners said Nov. 11 that Fritch was stabbed to death.

A statewide Amber Alert was issued for Fritch when she was reported missing Tuesday after her mother, Cynthia Morris, 37, and her 13-year-old sister, Breanna Pavilicek, were found shot to death in their Baytown home.

Baytown and Texas City police searched the area for Fritch Wednesday using helicopters and K-9 units. Divers also searched a nearby waterway, but did not find her. Her body was found Thursday afternoon.

Jesse Dobbs, 21, a person of interest in the shooting, was taken into custody at a Texas City bar early Wednesday morning. Police said he abducted Fritch. They also recovered a vehicle they believe might be tied to the crime.

PHOTOS: Missing teen Kirsten Fritch

Surveillance video of Dobbs' arrest showed him at the far end of the bar when police barged in with flashlights. One officer had his gun drawn. Officers struggled with Dobbs and they fell to the ground, the video showed. In the video, officers picked him up and walked him out of the bar.

The bar owner said Dobbs was barefoot and drenched in sweat.

Surveillance video captured Dobbs’ arrest inside Shenanigan's.

Dobbs was taken to Galveston County jail and charged with resisting arrest. Authorities said they will be seeking murder charges against Dobbs, as well.

"While we hope to be able to file them (murder charges) at some point, we still have a lot of work to do before we can officially do so. This may take several days as we are essentially working two scenes and two cases that are effectively linked together and we want to make sure we have everything right," Baytown Police Lieutenant Steve Dorris said.

He is being held on a $50,000 bond.


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