Tina Combs, a 44-year-old woman from Arlington, Texas, was found dead on June 25, 2015, in Kyle, Texas. The Kyle Police Department responded to a welfare call at 810 S. Sledge St. and discovered the bodies of Tina Combs and James Wright, a 45-year-old man from Kyle. Tina Combs was found in the master bedroom, while James Wright was found in the hallway of the home he rented.
The official autopsy indicated that Tina Combs died from gunshot and stab wounds, while James Wright died instantly from a bullet to the head.
The investigation into the murders of Tina Combs and James Wright was extensive and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Public Safety. Two suspects were identified early in the investigation: Larry Simon and Ryan Kidd. Larry Simon, a former employee and roommate of James Wright, was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder. He was held in the Hays County Jail without bond. The case faced several challenges, including the fact that Tina Combs and James Wright were not well-acquainted, making it difficult to establish a clear motive for the murders.
Despite the efforts of the Kyle Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, the case remained unresolved for several years. In March 2024, the capital murder charge against Larry Simon was dismissed by 453rd District Court Judge Sherri Tibbe due to the need for further investigation. The dismissal of the case left many questions unanswered and the families of the victims seeking justice for their loved ones.
Throughout the investigation, friends and family of the deceased expressed frustration with the progress of the case and the capabilities of the small Kyle Police Department. The lack of communication and the slow pace of the investigation led to a loss of faith in the authorities. The case of Tina Combs and James Wright remains a tragic and unresolved chapter in the history of Kyle, Texas.
