HOUSTON – A man is facing a murder charge after Houston police found his wife dead inside their townhome, investigators say.
Police say Russell Neal showed up at a Harris County Sheriff's Office station on San Jacinto and told a deputy his wife was dead inside their apartment.
Neal, 40, told detectives he and his wife had a verbal argument, then stopped cooperating, saying he wanted his attorney, police say.
When Houston police and firefighters arrived at the couple's home at the Cedar Creek Townhomes on Tanglewilde the door was locked.
Police say they forced their way into the home. Once inside, police say they found the woman, identified as 24-year-old Catherine Martinez, dead on the living room floor with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma injuries to her head.
According to police, the woman's death appeared to have been recent, but an autopsy will help them pinpoint the time of death.
Police say they also found signs that children were living in the home with the couple.
When detectives questioned the man about his children, he said they were with a family member, according to HPD.
Neighbors say the woman was a great mother who was always with her two young boys. But the last few days they say her car hasn't moved from its parking spot.
"It has been parked there for days. She hasn't moved around too much, I havent seen here. I usually see her with her sons when she takes them to school, but I haven't seen her," said Paquita Dillon.
According to published reports, Neal was a singer in the 90's R&B group, Hi-Five.
Murder charges are pending against Neal, according to Houston police.