Joe Abril, a 58-year-old man from Odessa, Texas, tragically died on June 18, 2022, from multiple gunshot wounds. He was found in his home by police officers who responded to a 911 call made by his wife, Stephanie Diane Tuell. Upon arrival, officers discovered Abril suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest and head. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Stephanie Diane Tuell, 37 years old at the time, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder
in connection with Abril's death. According to the arrest affidavit, Tuell allegedly shot her husband and then waited for police to arrive in the front yard of their home. When questioned by the police, she reportedly said, "No one messes with my kids," suggesting that she killed Abril to protect her children. Tuell was unapologetic about her actions and invoked her right to remain silent after being read her Miranda rights.
In addition to Tuell's arrest, another individual, 19-year-old Jose Ramirez, was also arrested and charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter in a separate incident. Ramirez was allegedly intoxicated when he crashed into a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of Linda Hernandez, 23, and John Escontrias, 20.
The case against Tuell is ongoing, and she remains in custody awaiting trial. The Ector County grand jury handed down the indictments, and Tuell is currently on house arrest with GPS monitoring while her attorney seeks to have her bond lowered.
This tragic incident has left the community in shock, and the legal proceedings continue to unfold as authorities work to bring justice for Joe Abril and his family.
