A Texas man is in custody after allegedly shooting and killing his girlfriend, Lazette King, then sending a photo of her body to his sister with a chilling threat to her family.
The murder, which took place late Tuesday night, shocked the community and left King’s family in fear for their safety.
The Murder and Chilling Threat
According to Houston police, Michael Ellis shot another man in the leg earlier on Tuesday before going to his apartment, where he lived with his girlfriend, Lazette King.
There, Ellis allegedly shot King to death. Afterward, he took a disturbing photo of her lifeless body and sent it to his sister. In the message, he allegedly threatened to kill King’s family next.
King’s sister, Shatina Thompson, spoke to local news, revealing the frightening details. “He told her he was on his way to get her family next,” Thompson said. Realizing the danger, the family quickly acted to protect their loved ones, getting Thompson’s parents out of their home, as Ellis allegedly knew where they lived.
Mental Health Struggles and Motive
Authorities have yet to file formal charges as of Wednesday afternoon, and detectives are still working to determine a clear motive for the murder. However, they have stated that Ellis had a history of mental health issues.
His sister revealed that Ellis was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had become consumed by conspiracy theories. She also mentioned that Ellis had not been taking his medication, which she believes contributed to his violent actions.
Thompson told local NBC affiliate KPRC that Ellis and King had frequent arguments. Ellis allegedly believed that King had been ordered by the government to kill him, which adds a disturbing layer to the tragedy.
Remembering Lazette King
Shatina Thompson shared that her sister, Lazette, was a “very free-spirited, happy” person who always tried to help others. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” Thompson said, expressing the pain of losing her sister in such a brutal manner.
The Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Ellis was taken into custody early Wednesday morning. As investigators continue to piece together the events of that night, the family is left to cope with the horror of the tragedy. While formal charges have not been filed yet, the case is under active investigation, and Ellis remains in custody.
The brutal murder of Lazette King has left her family heartbroken and fearful, as Michael Ellis’ threatening behavior and mental health struggles play a significant role in understanding the motive behind this senseless crime.
The case continues to unfold, with the hope that justice will eventually be served for King and her grieving family.
