Leah Jan Hughes, 67, was found dead in her Big Spring, Texas, home on Brent Drive on December 27, 2023. Authorities initially treated the incident as a fall, but an autopsy on December 29 determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound. A search warrant was executed at Hughes’ residence as the Big Spring Police Department Criminal Investigations Division opened a full investigation.

After several weeks of multi-agency work, detectives identified a suspect. On February 6, 2024, 26-year-old Colten Hughes, her grandson, was arrested during a traffic stop in Trophy Club, Texas, and charged with murder. He was later indicted by a Howard County grand jury on April 12, 2024, and booked into the Howard County Detention Center with bond set at $2 million. Leah Hughes, born April 3, 1956, was a lifelong Big Spring resident who was active in her community and enjoyed time with her grandchildren.

If anyone knew Leah or has information about her death, please share what you remember.