Topline: Authorities discovered Wardell’s body nearly two weeks later after neighbors reported a foul smell.
Published: June 12, 2025 8:00 am ET
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William Joseph Oddo III (via Denton County Sheriff’s Office)
DENTON, TX — A Texas man is facing murder charges after allegedly confessing to killing his fiancée with a shotgun and remaining in the apartment with her body for days before fleeing due to the overwhelming smell, according to police.
The Denton Police Department said the body of 39-year-old LaVera Wardell was discovered on May 19 after a call was made to report a strong odor coming from an apartment in the 5200 block of Par Drive.
When officers entered the unit, they found Wardell dead from what they described as “traumatic head injuries,” according to WTVO.
Investigators believe Wardell was killed on May 6 — nearly two weeks before her body was found — and that her fiancé, 52-year-old William Joseph Oddo III, was responsible. Police say Oddo told them he shot Wardell during an argument, claiming she charged at him with a knife before he opened fire, as detailed in an affidavit obtained by FOX 4 (KDFW).
Oddo admitted to cleaning the scene in the days following the shooting. According to the arrest affidavit, he purchased cleaning supplies at multiple stores on May 13, one week after the killing. When asked why he cleaned the apartment, Oddo allegedly said it was because he “wanted to lay” with Wardell after her death. He reportedly remained in the apartment with her body for approximately three days, KDFW reports.
Police later noted signs of cleanup at the scene, observing that blood evidence had been wiped from walls and floors. Authorities issued a warrant for Oddo’s arrest on May 28 on suspicion of murder and tampering with evidence.
He was located on June 2 at a motel in Mount Pleasant, roughly 160 miles east of Denton. Oddo told officers he left the apartment because the smell had become unbearable, WTVO reports.
He was arrested without incident and booked into the Denton County Jail. His bond has been set at $160,000.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Texas Man Confesses to Shooting Fiancée, Says He Slept Next to Her Body for Days
Authorities discovered Wardell’s body nearly two weeks later after neighbors reported a foul smell.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 12, 2025 8:00 am ET
William Joseph Oddo III (via Denton County Sheriff’s Office)
DENTON, TX — A Texas man is facing murder charges after allegedly confessing to killing his fiancée with a shotgun and remaining in the apartment with her body for days before fleeing due to the overwhelming smell, according to police.
The Denton Police Department said the body of 39-year-old LaVera Wardell was discovered on May 19 after a call was made to report a strong odor coming from an apartment in the 5200 block of Par Drive.
When officers entered the unit, they found Wardell dead from what they described as “traumatic head injuries,” according to WTVO.
Investigators believe Wardell was killed on May 6 — nearly two weeks before her body was found — and that her fiancé, 52-year-old William Joseph Oddo III, was responsible. Police say Oddo told them he shot Wardell during an argument, claiming she charged at him with a knife before he opened fire, as detailed in an affidavit obtained by FOX 4 (KDFW).
Oddo admitted to cleaning the scene in the days following the shooting. According to the arrest affidavit, he purchased cleaning supplies at multiple stores on May 13, one week after the killing. When asked why he cleaned the apartment, Oddo allegedly said it was because he “wanted to lay” with Wardell after her death. He reportedly remained in the apartment with her body for approximately three days, KDFW reports.
Police later noted signs of cleanup at the scene, observing that blood evidence had been wiped from walls and floors. Authorities issued a warrant for Oddo’s arrest on May 28 on suspicion of murder and tampering with evidence.
He was located on June 2 at a motel in Mount Pleasant, roughly 160 miles east of Denton. Oddo told officers he left the apartment because the smell had become unbearable, WTVO reports.
He was arrested without incident and booked into the Denton County Jail. His bond has been set at $160,000.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Texas Man Confesses to Shooting Fiancée, Says He Slept Next to Her Body for Days
Authorities discovered Wardell’s body nearly two weeks later after neighbors reported a foul smell.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 12, 2025 8:00 am ET
William Joseph Oddo III (via Denton County Sheriff’s Office)
DENTON, TX — A Texas man is facing murder charges after allegedly confessing to killing his fiancée with a shotgun and remaining in the apartment with her body for days before fleeing due to the overwhelming smell, according to police.
The Denton Police Department said the body of 39-year-old LaVera Wardell was discovered on May 19 after a call was made to report a strong odor coming from an apartment in the 5200 block of Par Drive.
When officers entered the unit, they found Wardell dead from what they described as “traumatic head injuries,” according to WTVO.
Investigators believe Wardell was killed on May 6 — nearly two weeks before her body was found — and that her fiancé, 52-year-old William Joseph Oddo III, was responsible. Police say Oddo told them he shot Wardell during an argument, claiming she charged at him with a knife before he opened fire, as detailed in an affidavit obtained by FOX 4 (KDFW).
Oddo admitted to cleaning the scene in the days following the shooting. According to the arrest affidavit, he purchased cleaning supplies at multiple stores on May 13, one week after the killing. When asked why he cleaned the apartment, Oddo allegedly said it was because he “wanted to lay” with Wardell after her death. He reportedly remained in the apartment with her body for approximately three days, KDFW reports.
Police later noted signs of cleanup at the scene, observing that blood evidence had been wiped from walls and floors. Authorities issued a warrant for Oddo’s arrest on May 28 on suspicion of murder and tampering with evidence.
He was located on June 2 at a motel in Mount Pleasant, roughly 160 miles east of Denton. Oddo told officers he left the apartment because the smell had become unbearable, WTVO reports.
He was arrested without incident and booked into the Denton County Jail. His bond has been set at $160,000.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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