Ex-husband arrested, charged with murdering of ex-wife, officials say

HOUSTON – The ex-husband of a woman found shot to death Friday has been charged with murder and taken into custody, officials say. 

Jerald Dewayne Watt, 40, has been charged in the slaying of his common-law wife, Rena Marie Hodges, 35.

Investigators said a family member told police they hadn't heard from Hodges for several days so they decided to check on her.

Nobody answered the door, so a security guard in the community came by to open the door with a key.

Police said the security guard found Hodges shot to death in a bedroom upstairs.

She was a proud mother of three little girls.

"She was a loving mom. She just had a heart of gold," said Rena's brother Lee Hodges.

Hodges is Rena's only brother, but he's 'Uncle Daryl' to her daughters.

"And she said if anything ever happens to me, please take my children," Hodges said.

Hodges says his sister's most recent relationship with Jerald Watt was rocky, but "She just didn't know how to get away."

And his sister often told him she wanted out.

"She said that he made threats, but I know she never imagined it would get this bad," Hodges said.

Lee Hodges said he tried to help, but now his worst fear has come true.

Police believe Watt to be the one who left her there, and have charged him with her murder. Now Hodges has lost his sister, and his three nieces have lost their mother.

"It's overwhelming. We don't really know where to go from here," Hodges said.

He has since taken in the girls, ages 9, 10 and 14, and is hoping to honor his sister's wishes and change his title from uncle to father.

The eldest even asked him herself.

"She told me that she wanted to be with me, and that she was a packaged deal. She had to keep her sisters with her," Hodges said.