Man Indicted for Capital Murder of Ex-Girlfriend's Mother in Abilene

ABILENE, TX- An Abilene man was indicted Thursday for the capital murder of his ex-girlfriend’s mother.

KTXS reported on the indictment of 38-year-old Michael Eugene Shubert, who stabbed Debra Jean Helgerson to death on Friday, Oct. 28, at her home in the 700 block of Chapparral Circle.

Prosecutors believe the motive for the murder was in relation for Helgerson testifying against Shubert four days earlier.

The murder was reported during the course of a burglary, according to the indictment, and KTXS reported that Shubert was arrested the same day and charged with murder.

His bond remains at $1.75 million.

KTXS reported in October that a witness told police Shubert was “quite happy” with Helgerson for testifying against him. Police said Shubert made it known that he planned to kill her.

Police told local news agencies that Shubert contacted his roommate after the murder and said “he needed a ride because he was going to leave town.” He was concerned that he had blood on him and asked if there was blood on his face.

Shubert reportedly asked his roommate to bring a trash bag for his clothes. He also indicated he lost a pair of blue latex gloves at the crime scene.

Police said one of Helgerson’s neighbors reported hearing a scream around 1 or 2 a.m. on Friday. Police said that is “consistent with the timing that Shubert indicated that he killed a woman.”

Police also told KTXS that someone saw Shubert drop the black trash bag with his bloody clothes in a dumpster near the Canterbury Crossing Apartments.

According to court documents, Shubert then told his roommate that “police would be coming for him in the morning,” and told her to say he had been with her all night.

For the previous story, follow this link: http://www.ktxs.com/134761404.