HOUSTON – Deputies are investigating after two people were shot and killed in their east Harris County apartments. The victims were found Tuesday inside neighboring units on Alderson Street near Barbara Mae.
A man told Harris County Sheriff's investigators that he returned home from work around 4 p.m. Tuesday and found his girlfriend, Kathrine Gingrich, 26, lying dead on the floor.
According to investigators, the boyfriend then left his apartment and told his aunt, who lives down the street. The boyfriend and his aunt then went back to the scene and called 911.
When deputies arrived, they learned Gingrich was good friends with Johnny Holcomb, 33, who lived in the neighboring apartment. Investigators said Holcomb was not answering the door.
When deputies looked through a window, they discovered Holcomb had also been shot and killed.
Wilma Holcomb told Local 2 she and Johnny Holcomb recently separated and he had just moved into the apartment about a week ago. She said the couple was trying to work things out and she had last seen him Monday evening when she dropped him off at the apartment.
"Johnnie wasn't always a great guy, but I loved him and the kids loved him and that was all that mattered. He was there for the people who mattered for him," said Wilma Holcomb.
She said her husband and Gingrich had been friends for years and Gingrich helped him get the apartment.
At a corner market near the apartments, employees described Gingrich as a sweet and respectful woman.
"I don't see why anyone would want to harm her. She was a nice person," said employee Alicia Chapman.
Investigators have not commented on a possible motive.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office homicide unit at 713- 967-5810 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.