Derek Daigneault, 29, of Wichita, Kansas, received a life sentence for the April 2023 murder of his cousin, Mandy Rose Reynolds, 26, whose body was found burned in a plastic container in Robinson, Texas. A jury convicted Daigneault of fatally shooting Reynolds and attempting to dispose of her body during a violent and premeditated series of crimes.
On April 5, 2023, Robinson police responded to reports of a brush fire on Heston Circle. Upon arrival, officers discovered a human body burning in a large plastic storage container. The victim’s identity was initially unknown due to severe burns. Nearby, a white dog barked frantically and remained close to the scene, resisting capture. The following morning, the dog, later identified as Reynolds’ pet Titan, returned to the location. Titan’s microchip confirmed his identity and provided investigators with a critical link to Reynolds.
Police learned Reynolds resided in San Marcos, Texas, but when officers visited her apartment, it was completely empty. All personal belongings had been removed, and her black Honda Accord was missing. Police issued alerts for her vehicle, which license plate readers later located in Wichita, Kansas.
High-Speed Chase and Capture
On April 8, Wichita police spotted Reynolds’ vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Daigneault, who was driving, led officers on a high-speed chase that exceeded 100 mph and lasted nearly 30 minutes. The chase ended when Daigneault crashed into another car. He fled on foot into a nearby grocery store, hiding on a shelf behind canned goods before being apprehended. Inside Reynolds’ car, police found a .380 handgun on the driver’s floorboard.
Building the Case
Evidence quickly mounted against Daigneault. Surveillance footage from a Walmart in San Marcos showed him purchasing a large plastic storage container, a gas can, and a shovel on the morning of April 4, 2023. The same container was used to burn Reynolds’ body. The footage also showed Daigneault leaving Walmart in Reynolds’ Honda Accord with Titan visible in the car’s window.
The crime scene in Robinson provided additional evidence. Police recovered a .380 shell casing inside the burned container, which matched the handgun found in Daigneault’s possession. Forensic analysis confirmed the bullet retrieved from Reynolds’ body was fired from the same weapon.
In addition, investigators located Reynolds’ personal belongings in an abandoned truck a few miles from her apartment.
The medical examiner used dental records to confirm the remains were those of Mandy Reynolds. The autopsy determined that she died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Daigneault’s trial brought together law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions, including Robinson, San Marcos, and Wichita. The jury heard evidence linking Daigneault to the murder, including video footage, forensic ballistics, and his connection to Reynolds’ vehicle.
Prosecutors Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin emphasized the significance of Titan’s role and the multi-agency cooperation in securing the conviction. “The keys to this case were a heroic and loyal dog named Titan and extraordinary cooperation between law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions and states,” Calvert said.
Daigneault was sentenced to life in prison. He will not be eligible for parole until serving at least 30 years.
