WACO, TX — A microchipped dog led investigators to the arrest of a Kansas man who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his cousin, Mandy Rose Reynolds.
Authorities say the 26-year-old’s body was found burning in a plastic container in a field in Robinson, Texas, on April 5, 2023.
Derek Daigneault, 29, of Wichita, Kansas, was convicted of shooting Reynolds and attempting to cover up the crime by setting her body on fire. The investigation gained momentum when Reynolds's pet, a white dog named Titan, was found at the scene, barking frantically, refusing to leave, and not allowing cops to capture him. Animal control officers identified Reynolds through the dog’s microchip, leading police to her residence in San Marcos, Texas.
Prosecutors Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin, along with Investigator Keith Kitt, gather with Titan, the microchipped dog whose loyalty and presence helped police identify Mandy Reynolds’ killer. Inset: Derek Daigneault, convicted of Reynolds’ murder.
Police discovered Reynolds’ home empty, with her belongings removed, and her vehicle missing. They traced her car to Wichita, where officers pursued Daigneault in a high-speed chase that ended in a crash. He was apprehended after trying to hide in a nearby grocery store.
Evidence from Walmart surveillance showed Daigneault purchasing a plastic container and a gas can prior to the incident. A .380-caliber handgun, matching casings found near Reynolds’ body, was recovered from her car. Footage also showed Titan in the back seat, sticking his head out of the window while he was leaving.
"The keys to this case were a heroic and loyal dog named Titan and extraordinary cooperation between law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions and states. That combination has delivered justice for Mandy and safety from a violent and dangerous criminal,” said Assistant District Attorneys Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin, who prosecuted the case.
The joint investigation by police in Robinson, San Marcos, and Wichita concluded with Daigneault’s life sentence, bringing justice for Reynolds and closure for her family.
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