Melanie Heather Bounds Shoemaker was a 42-year-old surgical registered nurse from Hillister, Texas who died on October 5, 2014. Graveside services were held October 12, 2014, at Magnolia Cemetery in Hillister. She was a member of the Methodist faith.

Deputies responding to a report of a man being held against his will searched a residence and discovered her body hidden inside. Christopher Paulette, a 34-year-old man from Hillister, was arrested in connection with the case and charged with capital murder and felon in possession of a firearm. The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, and the Texas Rangers investigated the death, and Paulette was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Melanie Heather Bounds Shoemaker.

This devastated the small Hillister community and affected her family, friends, and colleagues in the medical field. If anyone knew Melanie or has information about what led to her kidnapping, please share what you can.