HPD: Man killed woman before fire at her home

Brandon Ray Morgan accused of beating, choking Jeannie Waynette Wiebke

HOUSTON – A man has been accused of killing a woman whose body was found inside a burning home.

Brandon Ray Morgan, 37, has been charged with murder in the death of Jeannie Waynette Wiebke, 69.

Houston police said Houston firefighters responded to an explosion and fire at Wiebke's home in the 10500 block of Sagetree early on May 3.

Wiebke's badly burned body was found inside the home.

Arson investigators determined that the fire was intentional and the explosion was caused by an oxygen bottle.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Science determined that Wiebke had been beaten and strangled before the fire.

Wiebke had been released from the hospital a short time before her death and had a caregiver. Morgan, who was Wiebke's caregiver's boyfriend, had been living in Wiebke's home when she was killed, police said.

According to court documents, Morgan told investigators that he had taken Xanax, was drinking alcohol and smoking synthetic marijuana on the night that Wiebke died.

Morgan claimed he had no idea how the fire started, investigators said.

Police said they do not know the motive for the killing.

Morgan was arrested on Friday. He's being held in the Harris County Jail without bond.