From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The murder suspect who shot himself during a Trussville Police Department (TPD) chase has now been linked to a second Texas murder.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Phalyssia Sanders, 28, was listed as a missing person by Houston Police Saturday, April 9, 2022. Sanders was then found suffering from gunshot wounds in the 18400 block of Mossforest/Shady Stream Drive in Texas.
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Investigators have determined that this case is linked to the recent murder on Friday, April 15, 2022, at 116350 Ella Boulevard in Houston. Investigators identified the suspect in Sanders’ murder as Francisco Gonzalez, the same suspect who killed Saymo Pieternelle.
“Gonzalez apparently confessed to family members about both murders before fleeing the state,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated in a Facebook post. “It is unclear what the motive for the murder of Sanders was, and investigators are still working to determine that, but it appears the two did have some type of relationship prior to the murder.”
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HCSO stated that it is also unclear how Pieternelle’s murder played into the death of Sanders, but it is believed the two murders are closely related.
“Pieternelle is not believed to be an accomplice to Sanders’ murder, but investigators will be following up on all possible leads related to the case,” Sheriff Gonzalez stated.
Francisco Gonzalez was involved in a police pursuit in Trussville and committed suicide during the incident.
