On December 3, 2023, at approximately 9 a.m., the Polk County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive man lying in a driveway in the 2800 block of Duff Road, southeast of Livingston, Texas. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the body of 29-year-old Timothy Jacob Neal, a local resident. The scene was promptly identified as a homicide, initiating a comprehensive investigation by the Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Texas Rangers and the Polk County Criminal
District Attorney’s Office.
The initial phase of the investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Toby Wayne Ford of Livingston. Ford was taken into custody shortly after the incident and charged with murder. He was booked into the Polk County Jail as the primary suspect in Neal's death.
As the investigation progressed, detectives identified a second suspect. On December 28, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for 24-year-old Shawn Anthony Thor, also of Livingston. Thor was apprehended without incident and charged with murder. He was booked into the Polk County Jail, with bond set at $250,000.
The arrests of Ford and Thor underscore the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement agencies in addressing violent crimes within the community. While both individuals have been charged with murder, the investigation remains active, and authorities have refrained from disclosing further details at this time. The Polk County Sheriff's Office has assured the public that there is no ongoing threat related to this incident.
In the wake of Neal's tragic death, his family and friends have been mourning his loss. An obituary published on December 22, 2023, describes Neal as a loving son, grandson, and brother who had a passion for fishing and music. He was employed as a chef at the Whistle Stop Café in Livingston.
As the legal process unfolds, the community remains attentive to developments in the case, seeking justice for Neal and his family. The Polk County Sheriff's Office continues to encourage anyone with pertinent information to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation.
