TEXAS — A gruesome murder case that sent shockwaves through both Texas and Oklahoma has reached a turning point after 38-year-old L. Breuer, from Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to the 2023 stabbing death of her ex-boyfriend, 44-year-old D. Peeler. Her sister, J. Cometsevah, 34, remains charged and awaits further court action in connection to the crime.
The plea agreement, finalized Monday, saw Breuer accept a 35-year prison sentence just before her trial was scheduled to begin. The courtroom heard harrowing details of the crime — including how Peeler was stabbed more than 50 times, with the knife left lodged in his neck. Prosecutors called the attack a premeditated act of violence, and described the crime scene as “brutal.”
The Crime: A Vicious and Planned Attack
Peeler’s body was discovered in April 2023 in a Texas apartment, lying on a deflated air mattress, his torso and neck riddled with stab wounds. An arrest affidavit and police investigation revealed that Breuer had carried out the fatal stabbing, and that Cometsevah assisted in the cover-up.
According to a jailhouse informant, Breuer confessed that her sister removed the knife, Peeler’s phone, and bloodied items, before discarding them in a dumpster. These chilling actions helped delay the investigation, though detectives eventually recovered the crucial details needed to build the case.
Prosecutors highlighted a history of abuse, referencing an October 2022 incident in which Breuer allegedly attacked Peeler with a car key. Though no charges were filed then, the incident contributed to what authorities described as a volatile and dangerous relationship.
“The facts of this case were brutal,” said Breuer’s defense attorney, B. Cantrel. “He was stabbed 52 times. My heart is broken for this family.”
Emotional Day in Court
Monday’s sentencing brought a measure of closure, though pain still lingers deeply for Peeler’s loved ones. In emotional victim impact statements, family members expressed anguish over Peeler’s final moments.
“I wonder how alone, betrayed and scared he must have felt that day,” said Peeler’s sister. “I wonder how many of the 52 stabs did he feel… There are no words to describe seeing your brother in his casket.”
Prosecutors R. Strother and D. Widmann credited law enforcement with persevering through early challenges in the case. They said that diligent follow-up interviews and interdepartmental cooperation were key to securing Breuer’s confession and ultimately her guilty plea.
“With this final conviction, we gained a lengthy prison sentence, a waiver of appeal, and ensured Mr. Peeler’s family had some closure,” they said.
The Sister’s Case Still Pending
While Breuer’s fate is sealed, Cometsevah’s legal outcome is still unresolved. She faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors stated that a plea deal is pending, but no details or court date have been announced.
Given the disturbing nature of the crime, justice may still feel incomplete for Peeler’s family and community members. However, the courtroom developments mark a significant step forward in a case that has taken more than a year to resolve.