Skip to main content

Man charged with killing woman he was dating at southwest Houston apartment complex

The woman was found dead in the doorway, according to police

Generic prison - lightbox KPRC (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

A murder charge has been filed against a man accused of fatally shooting a woman at a southwest Houston apartment complex last week, according to the Houston Police Department.

Michael D. Franklin, 46, has been charged with murder in the 179th State District Court in connection with the death of 44-year-old Ladana Murrell. As of Tuesday, Franklin was not in custody.

Recommended Videos


The shooting happened around 7:50 p.m. on June 19 at an apartment complex located at 6015 Dale Carnegie Lane.

According to HPD, officers responded to reports of a shooting and found Murrell suffering from a gunshot wound in the doorway of an apartment. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Investigators said a witness reported that Murrell and a man were involved in a physical altercation that escalated into gunfire. The man fled before officers arrived.

Detectives later identified Franklin, who police said was in a dating relationship with Murrell, as the suspect in the case.

After consulting with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, homicide detectives filed a murder charge against Franklin.

Anyone with information about Franklin’s whereabouts or the investigation is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.