Toni Lea DeBuse, a 46-year-old woman, was found dead in a home near Devine, Texas, on June 5, 2018. The Medina County Sheriff's Office identified her as the victim of a fatal shooting. DeBuse was discovered with a gunshot wound in the bedroom of the home. The authorities quickly ruled out suicide and determined that her death was not accidental. The investigation revealed that DeBuse had been living at the residence where she was found, and she was known to the local community for selling
barrels along Highway 132 in Devine.
The suspect in the case, 62-year-old James Marion Williamson, was detained for questioning shortly after the incident. Williamson had reportedly called an ex-family member to report that a female had been shot at his home, and that family member then contacted the authorities. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Williamson in the tall weeds surrounding the house. He was initially detained for questioning, but within hours, the evidence gathered from the crime scene and the medical examiner's report led to his arrest on murder charges. Williamson was booked into the Medina County Jail with a $1 million bond.
The investigation into DeBuse's death revealed that multiple weapons were present at the scene, and the authorities had to determine which weapon was used in the shooting. The sheriff stated that the evidence collected from the bedroom and the medical examiner's findings confirmed that the shooting was not an accident or a case of self-defense. The relationship between DeBuse and Williamson was described as on-and-off, but there was no history of domestic violence at the location. The case against Williamson was considered strong, with the sheriff expressing confidence that the evidence would prove his guilt.
The tragic death of Toni Lea DeBuse and the subsequent arrest of James Marion Williamson garnered significant attention in the local community. The investigation continued as authorities worked to uncover the full details of the incident and bring justice to DeBuse's family.
