Topline: Authorities arrested Kruz Dean Wanser in connection with an investigation into the Jan. 11 death of Margaret Pennington.
Published: January 24, 2026 8:18 am ET
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Kruz Dean Wanser (via Azle Police Department)
AZLE, TX — Police arrested a wanted fugitive in connection with the Jan. 11 death of a 37-year-old woman found inside an Azle residence.
Kruz Dean Wanser was taken into custody following the death of Margaret Pennington, according to a news release from the Azle Police Department.
In a public information request previously shared on Facebook, police confirmed Wanser was “a person of interest in a suspicious death investigation.”
Wanser is held on charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse. He also faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and a parole violation.
The Azle Police Department released a booking photo of Wanser following his arrest. In the photograph, Wanser is wearing a blue hoodie with a message printed in white capital letters.
The text on the sweatshirt says, “I will put you in a trunk and help people look for you.” Below that message, the words “Stop playing with me” are printed in italics.
Officers found Pennington dead inside a home in Azle on Jan. 11. Azle is located about 15 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Police have not confirmed the relationship between Wanser and Pennington. The investigation remains open.
The arrest involved multiple agencies, according to the police department release. The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the Texas Rangers, the U.S. Marshals and the Parker County Special Crimes Unit assisted in the case.
Pennington was born in Gainesville, Florida. An online obituary from Forest Meadows Funeral Home said she was deeply loved by her family and friends.
The obituary described Pennington as a person with a creative spirit who enjoyed baking and crocheting. She had an interest in genealogy and collected vintage items.
Family members noted in the post that Pennington was known for a quick wit and a strong presence. She is survived by friends and family who valued her sense of humor.
As of Jan. 20, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner has not yet released the official cause of death for Margaret Pennington, according to reports from FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth.
Azle police confirmed the medical examiner’s findings remain pending and the case is classified as an open investigation.
Azle police are asking anyone with information regarding the death of Pennington to contact the department at 817-444-3221.
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.
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Texas Man Wearing ‘I Will Put You In a Trunk’ Hoodie Arrested in Woman’s Death
Authorities arrested Kruz Dean Wanser in connection with an investigation into the Jan. 11 death of Margaret Pennington.
By Kate Byrd
Published: January 24, 2026 8:18 am ET
Kruz Dean Wanser (via Azle Police Department)
AZLE, TX — Police arrested a wanted fugitive in connection with the Jan. 11 death of a 37-year-old woman found inside an Azle residence.
Kruz Dean Wanser was taken into custody following the death of Margaret Pennington, according to a news release from the Azle Police Department.
In a public information request previously shared on Facebook, police confirmed Wanser was “a person of interest in a suspicious death investigation.”
Wanser is held on charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse. He also faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and a parole violation.
The Azle Police Department released a booking photo of Wanser following his arrest. In the photograph, Wanser is wearing a blue hoodie with a message printed in white capital letters.
The text on the sweatshirt says, “I will put you in a trunk and help people look for you.” Below that message, the words “Stop playing with me” are printed in italics.
Officers found Pennington dead inside a home in Azle on Jan. 11. Azle is located about 15 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Police have not confirmed the relationship between Wanser and Pennington. The investigation remains open.
The arrest involved multiple agencies, according to the police department release. The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the Texas Rangers, the U.S. Marshals and the Parker County Special Crimes Unit assisted in the case.
Pennington was born in Gainesville, Florida. An online obituary from Forest Meadows Funeral Home said she was deeply loved by her family and friends.
The obituary described Pennington as a person with a creative spirit who enjoyed baking and crocheting. She had an interest in genealogy and collected vintage items.
Family members noted in the post that Pennington was known for a quick wit and a strong presence. She is survived by friends and family who valued her sense of humor.
As of Jan. 20, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner has not yet released the official cause of death for Margaret Pennington, according to reports from FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth.
Azle police confirmed the medical examiner’s findings remain pending and the case is classified as an open investigation.
Azle police are asking anyone with information regarding the death of Pennington to contact the department at 817-444-3221.
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.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Texas Man Wearing ‘I Will Put You In a Trunk’ Hoodie Arrested in Woman’s Death
Authorities arrested Kruz Dean Wanser in connection with an investigation into the Jan. 11 death of Margaret Pennington.
By Kate Byrd
Published: January 24, 2026 8:18 am ET
Kruz Dean Wanser (via Azle Police Department)
AZLE, TX — Police arrested a wanted fugitive in connection with the Jan. 11 death of a 37-year-old woman found inside an Azle residence.
Kruz Dean Wanser was taken into custody following the death of Margaret Pennington, according to a news release from the Azle Police Department.
In a public information request previously shared on Facebook, police confirmed Wanser was “a person of interest in a suspicious death investigation.”
Wanser is held on charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse. He also faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and a parole violation.
The Azle Police Department released a booking photo of Wanser following his arrest. In the photograph, Wanser is wearing a blue hoodie with a message printed in white capital letters.
The text on the sweatshirt says, “I will put you in a trunk and help people look for you.” Below that message, the words “Stop playing with me” are printed in italics.
Officers found Pennington dead inside a home in Azle on Jan. 11. Azle is located about 15 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Police have not confirmed the relationship between Wanser and Pennington. The investigation remains open.
The arrest involved multiple agencies, according to the police department release. The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the Texas Rangers, the U.S. Marshals and the Parker County Special Crimes Unit assisted in the case.
Pennington was born in Gainesville, Florida. An online obituary from Forest Meadows Funeral Home said she was deeply loved by her family and friends.
The obituary described Pennington as a person with a creative spirit who enjoyed baking and crocheting. She had an interest in genealogy and collected vintage items.
Family members noted in the post that Pennington was known for a quick wit and a strong presence. She is survived by friends and family who valued her sense of humor.
As of Jan. 20, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner has not yet released the official cause of death for Margaret Pennington, according to reports from FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth.
Azle police confirmed the medical examiner’s findings remain pending and the case is classified as an open investigation.
Azle police are asking anyone with information regarding the death of Pennington to contact the department at 817-444-3221.
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.
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