Missing Texas Boy Found Dead in Washing Machine; Criminal Investigation Underway

A missing 7-year-old Texas boy was found dead inside a washing machine on Thursday morning, according to police.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit said the parents of the boy, Troy Khoeler, earlier made a missing person report for their son.

According to Fox News, the missing person report was made at around 6:30 a.m. local time. Khoeler was already missing for approximately 2 to 3 hours at that time.

The boy was last seen at the 4400 block of Rosegate in the Birnam Wood subdivision in Spring, Harris County, and the parents reported that they noticed him missing at around 4 a.m. That led the police to post pictures of the boy on social media in an effort to find him.

Missing Texas Boy Was Found in Washing Machine Inside Home

Officers from the county's Homicide Unit then arrived at the parents' home to conduct an interview with them. However, this led authorities to perform a search inside the parents' house, according to ABC 13.

Officers finally found the boy in the top-load washing machine inside the parents' garage at around 7:20 a.m. He was already dead but found fully clothed.

Authorities did not comment on whether the washing machine's lid was closed or not. Police also did not disclose how the boy could have gotten inside the washing machine.

Harris County Sheriff's Office Launches Criminal Investigations Regarding Troy Khoeler's Death

A criminal investigation is now underway regarding young Troy Khoeler's death. According to NBC News, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has detained both parents and is questioning them. No charges have been made so far.

Harris Country Homicide Unit detective Lt. Robert Minchew held a news conference after the boy was found dead inside the washing machine. He said they still do not know what happened but intend to find out.

He also explained that the parents being taken into custody was standard police procedure. He did not comment on any injuries resulting from foul play because he explained that it was still too early to tell.

It is still unclear whether the Texas boy was killed by the washing machine or was killed and then placed there. With the criminal investigation already underway, police are asking people to stay away from the area. They also asked for prayers for the bereaved family.

Troy Khoeler was a foster child, and the family adopted him in 2019. He had no siblings and was an only child. KHOU 11 reported that Khoeler's mother was wearing a work uniform when the search was conducted.

However, it was unclear whether she had already returned from work to find the boy missing or if she was only getting ready for work.

It was believed that she had been working a shift at a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, the Harris County Sheriff's office noted that the boy's father was at home at that time.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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