LEANDER, Texas — Leander police arrested a man suspected of fatally stabbing his mother, a 53-year-old Leander Police Department dispatcher.
The LPD said that at approximately 2:43 a.m. on March 31, officers responded to the 12000 block of Hero Way West for reports of a possible stabbing. When officers arrived, they found a woman dead in a home. Police said that the suspect, the woman's son, fled the scene on foot before officers arrived.
The LPD said the suspect was 19-year-old Miles Speight. Officers arrested Speight in the area of Lakeline Boulevard and Cougar Country Drive, police said. The LPD had asked all residents in the area to stay in their homes and lock their doors that morning during the search for Speight.
The victim was identified on April 1 as Rowena Speight, who worked as an LPD dispatcher for the past five years.
Arrest affidavit details said Miles Speight told police he was upset with his mother because she wanted him to take medication, according to KVUE's media partners at the Austin American-Statesman. Speight's aunt told police he is bipolar "and has possibly been exhibiting indications of schizophrenia," the Statesman reported.
According to the affidavit obtained by the Statesman, Miles Speight and Rowena Speight got into an argument after she came into the kitchen to make tea and asked him about his medications. Miles Speight told police he couldn't control himself and "snapped," according to the Statesman's report. For more details from the affidavit, read the Statesman's full report.
The morning following Rowena Speight's death, LPD posted on Facebook, saying she will be remembered for her bold spirit:
"We are deeply saddened to announce the tragic loss of one of our own, Telecommunications Officer Rowena Speight. Yesterday was one of the hardest days for our department as we investigated an early morning domestic violence incident that resulted in the death of one of our own. Rowena has served in the Leander Police Department as a Telecommunicator since 2016, and she will always be remembered for her bold spirit, her love of the Lord, and her passion to serve others. Rowena will be sincerely missed, because her smile was infectious and her company always welcome. We want to thank the Leander community and all of our partner agencies for their support as we navigate through this difficult process."
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