On October 13, 2023, 76-year-old Irene Delphiene Gray was found deceased in her home on North Amburn Road in Texas City, Texas. Responding to a welfare check, authorities discovered that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Following an investigation, Texas City Police arrested Gray's daughter, 54-year-old Sherene Lavett Washington-Harper, on October 20, 2023. She was charged with murder in connection with her mother's death and booked into the Texas City Police Department Jail.
Family members have expressed shock and disbelief over the incident. Gray's granddaughter, Irene Smith, noted that there had been tension between her grandmother and mother leading up to the tragedy. Smith alleged that Washington-Harper had a history of drug use and that Gray was attempting to have her removed from the home. Smith's children were present in the house at the time of the incident, with her 8-year-old reportedly calling 911.
Irene Gray was remembered as a vibrant and loving individual, known affectionately as "Ms. TNT" and "Momo." Born on December 8, 1946, in Oakland, California, she was a talented musician, playing the keyboard in local blues clubs and touring with well-known artists. After relocating to Texas City in 2007, she became an active member of her community, joining the Living Word Community of Faith in Hitchcock and participating in local trail-riding events. Her obituary highlights her energetic and welcoming nature, noting that she was a friend to many and a stranger to none.
Washington-Harper is currently held on a $250,000 bond. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gray's death is ongoing, with authorities seeking to understand the factors that led to this tragic event. Community members are urged to provide any additional information that may assist in the investigation.
