A man from Texas has been arrested after confessing to police that he shot his fiancée in the head with a shotgun, then lived with her decomposing body for over a week. The man, identified as William Oddo III, 52, reportedly spent three days lying next to the corpse before leaving the apartment due to the unbearable odor.
Oddo was taken into custody after police were called to conduct a welfare check at an apartment on Par Drive in Denton, Texas. The call was prompted by a report of a “very foul smell” emanating from the residence. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the body of 39-year-old LaVera Wardell, who appeared to have suffered a traumatic head injury. Oddo was not present at the scene.
According to the arrest affidavit, Oddo claimed that he shot Wardell in self-defense during an argument in which she allegedly charged at him with a knife. He further stated that he chose not to report the incident to the police because he “did not want to talk about the incident with anyone.”
Witnesses reported last seeing Wardell alive on May 6. Police believe Oddo remained in the apartment with her body until May 14, when his car was noticed missing from the premises.
Evidence found at the scene indicated that attempts had been made to clean up blood from the floor and walls using cleaning supplies. Items were also found that appeared to have been used to mask the odor.
“Denton Police discovered evidence of Oddo purchasing and using cleaning supplies to tamper with the crime scene,” the department stated in a press release.
Oddo was located and arrested on June 2 at a motel in Mount Pleasant. He was initially charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a felony. Later, he was also charged with murder.
A neighbor expressed shock and sadness over the incident, telling local media, “It’s honestly heartbreaking. I don’t know how it was right above the office. It’s the penthouse above the office and right next to the gym.”
Oddo is currently being held in the Denton County Jail with a bond set at $160,000.