Trace Walker Dodd, a 10-year-old boy from New Braunfels, Texas, tragically lost his life on December 17, 2020. He was born on September 3, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas, and was known for his infectious smile, love for sports, and his dream of designing sneakers for professional athletes. Trace was a vibrant and energetic child who brought joy to everyone around him.
On the day of his death, Trace and his 16-year-old sister were found dead from gunshot wounds at their home on Wilderness
Way in New Braunfels. Their mother, 43-year-old Chelsee Dodd, was also found dead at the scene, and it was determined to be an apparent murder-suicide. The preliminary investigation indicated that Chelsee Dodd was the suspect in the case. The 16-year-old daughter was found conscious and seriously injured, and she was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The New Braunfels Police Department responded to the scene and secured the area, including briefly locking down nearby schools until the situation was under control. Autopsies were ordered for Trace and his mother, and the investigation continued to determine the motive behind the tragic incident.
This heartbreaking event shook the community, and many neighbors and friends paid tribute to the Dodd family, remembering Trace as a bright and loving child who had a profound impact on those around him.
The case remains under investigation by the New Braunfels Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, and the community continues to mourn the loss of Trace Walker Dodd and his sister.
