A Texas man is under arrest for the brutal murder of his fiancée, LaVera Wardell, after he allegedly stayed with her body for several days, claiming he “wanted to lay with” her.
William Joseph Oddo III, 52, was arrested on June 2 by Denton County police on charges of murder and tampering with evidence after confessing to shooting Wardell in the head.
The Gruesome Discovery
The tragic events unfolded in early May, when Oddo and Wardell, aged 39, got into a heated argument. Investigators believe the argument escalated, and Oddo shot Wardell in the head.
However, her body wasn’t discovered until nearly two weeks later, on May 19, when neighbors at the Timberlinks Golf Club apartment complex reported a “very foul smell” coming from the couple’s apartment, accompanied by a swarm of flies around the door.
“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,” one neighbor said in an interview with the Denton-Record Chronicle. The apartment complex, located near one of Texas’s top-ranked golf courses, was left with a chilling scene.
Investigation and Oddo’s Confession
When police entered the apartment, they were struck by the fact that the walls and floor were oddly clean, with no visible blood splatter or evidence of the crime scene. Police did, however, find a shotgun and other items that might have been used to mask the smell of decomposition.
Oddo had vanished by the time authorities arrived. However, investigators soon discovered surveillance footage showing Oddo purchasing cleaning supplies on May 13, a full week after Wardell’s death. The cleaning supplies raised suspicions and prompted further investigation into Oddo’s whereabouts.
According to arrest documents, Oddo initially claimed the shooting was in self-defense after Wardell allegedly lunged at him with a knife during their argument.
He said he shot her in the head and then left the apartment due to the overwhelming smell. Oddo reportedly stayed in a motel in Mount Pleasant, about two-and-a-half hours away, after abandoning the apartment.
Oddo’s Confession and the Horrific Details
After being traced to the motel, Oddo was interviewed by police, waived his Miranda rights, and confessed to the murder. According to the arrest affidavit, Oddo told investigators that he cleaned the apartment to mask the smell of decomposition because he “wanted to lay with” his deceased fiancée.
He revealed that he spent about three days lying next to her body. Oddo confirmed that he had used the shotgun found in the apartment to kill her.
This disturbing revelation added a chilling layer to the already horrific crime, making the situation even more incomprehensible for both investigators and the public. Denton police confirmed that there had been a history of domestic violence calls involving the couple prior to the murder, raising concerns about a pattern of abuse.
Previous Red Flags
Before the tragic slaying, there were multiple domestic violence calls made regarding Oddo and Wardell’s relationship. These calls had raised concerns about the couple’s volatile interactions, but nothing had prepared anyone for the horrific events that would later unfold.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Oddo is currently being held in Denton County Jail on $160,000 bail. He faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence, and the case has drawn significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the chilling details surrounding his confession.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge regarding the couple’s tumultuous relationship and the tragic end of Wardell’s life. The case has shocked the local community and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating consequences it can have.