Janice Hughes, a 70-year-old woman from Manchaca, Texas, was found unresponsive in her backyard on April 16, 2020. Initially, there was no evidence of trauma, and her death was thought to be from natural causes. However, an autopsy performed on April 23, 2020, revealed that Hughes' death was not natural. A small pellet was found in her lung, which was determined to be the cause of death.
The investigation took a turn when detectives learned of an ongoing property line dispute between Hughes and her neighbor, 59-year-old Daniel "Dan" Carnahan. Witnesses reported that Carnahan had allegedly harassed Hughes over the dispute. Carnahan was identified as the 911 caller who reported Hughes' death. Detectives executed a search warrant at Carnahan's home and found pellets similar to the one found in Hughes' lung.
A warrant was issued for Carnahan's arrest on April 25, 2020.
However, before he could be apprehended, Carnahan's body was discovered by Hays County deputies on April 27, 2020. The Travis County Sheriff's Office stated that Carnahan's death was ruled a suicide. Despite Carnahan's death, the homicide case remains open, and TCSO continues to investigate to ensure all evidence is thoroughly examined and every possible lead is explored.
The case highlights the complexities and challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with intertwined personal disputes and unexpected outcomes. The TCSO has committed to keeping the case open until all aspects are fully resolved.
