Jayme Malone Lopez, a 54-year-old woman of Hispanic ethnicity from Wills Point, Texas, tragically passed away on May 19, 2017, in Quinlan. She was born on November 16, 1962, in Dallas, Texas, and lived most of her life in Wills Point. Jayme was known for her love of gardening, playing Bingo, and taking care of her animals. She was a member of Seven Oaks Baptist Church and was survived by her husband, Manuel Lopez, and her step-daughter, Kristin Decker.
On the morning of May 19, 2017, Jayme Lopez called 911 to report that she had been shot. She crashed her vehicle in the 100 block of County Road 2475 in Hunt County, and despite the efforts of first responders, she succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Quinlan. The investigation revealed that her brother, Martin Ray Malone, a 61-year-old man from Wills Point, was charged with her murder. Martin Ray Malone was arrested and held in the Hunt County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
The case against Martin Ray Malone revealed that he had a history of violence against his sister. In 2007, he was convicted of hitting Jayme Lopez, and in 2015, he faced charges of aggravated assault against her. Prosecutors believed that Malone killed his sister because he feared being convicted of aggravated assault in the 2015 case. The court proceedings were ongoing when Jayme Lopez was killed, just days before a scheduled court hearing.
Martin Ray Malone was convicted of murder in August 2018 and sentenced to 99 years in prison. The jury found him guilty based on evidence, including Jayme Lopez's 911 call in which she identified her brother as the shooter. The tragic incident highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the impact it can have on families.
Jayme Malone Lopez's death was a devastating event for her family and the community of Wills Point. Her memory lives on through the love and care she showed to those around her, and her story serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing domestic violence.
