In the early hours of a warm summer morning in 2019, first responders found 52-year-old Patricia Spivey dead in the closet of her Houston home, shot multiple times. Her husband, Renard Spivey, a sheriff’s deputy, had a bullet wound in his leg and claimed they had been fighting over a gun when it accidentally discharged.
Patricia’s 83-year-old father, who had dementia, was asleep during the shooting. Officers questioned Renard, a large man, about the struggle over the gun, which seemed unlikely due to his size. They also noted the gun fired several times, raising suspicions about the accident.
Patrina Marshall, Patricia’s daughter, arrived at the scene to learn that her mother had died in a struggle with her husband. She was emotionally numb and regretted not being able to see her mother one last time. Renard had married Patricia after she pointed out a ring she liked, and they had built a life together, including a dream home.
However, the situation turned dark as Renard found himself under suspicion for murder. After refusing to speak to detectives, the autopsy revealed multiple gunshot wounds, with a fatal shot to Patricia’s heart. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide.
Renard was arrested on July 29, 2019, and charged with murder. His sister and friend struggled to believe the accusations, describing Renard as a kind and peaceful man. His defense team reviewed footage showing a loving relationship between the couple, but the fact that they had fought on the night of Patricia’s death raised doubts. Renard’s defense lawyers argued that Patricia had gone to bed angry, but he had not.