Hunt Co. Sheriff: Home of double murder had a history of violence

HUNT COUNTY, Texas - Investigators revealed Hunt County Sheriff’s Deputies had been called out the home where a mother and her daughter were found murdered at least half a dozen times before the killings. At least one of the calls included a domestic violence incident.

Authorities say Tyrone Williams murdered his estranged girlfriend, Nicole Gonzalez, and her mother, Vickie Gonzalez, in their home last Friday near Commerce.  A newborn and a toddler were also in the home the day of the murders.

Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said dispatchers received a 911 call and heard "a female screaming and saying, 'Don't Tyrone. Don't Tyrone.” He said she kept on screaming for help until the line went dead.

Officers responded to the home minutes later, where they found Nichole and Vickie dead.

The murder sparked a ten hour manhunt for the children's father, 30-year-old Tyrone Williams, a truck driver from San Marcos. Police found his car about three miles from the home.

They believe Williams left it there, broke into the house and waited for the women to return.

Meeks says a murder weapon was recovered but it was not a gun. He said trouble between Williams and the family of his estranged girlfriend included an incident in June of 2015 when Williams choked Nicole.

"We've been called out there about six or seven times for various incidents,” said Meeks during a Monday press conference. "Back in May of this year, the mother's tires were slashed and their car was keyed. On June the sixth, Nicole's cell phone was stolen. On June the ninth, she believed Mr. Williams had put a tracker on her vehicle."

Friday's manhunt ended about 11 p.m. when a man named Chris Miles spotted Williams walking near railroad tracks in Commerce. Miles posted a picture on Facebook of Williams being arrested at a nearby Walmart.

Family members placed two purple balloons on the victim’s front porch.

A brother of the victim said his top priority now is to regain custody of the children from Child Protective Services.

City Attorney Jay Garrett said even in a city where murder never happens, custody battles too often spark violence.

“Our courts for solving domestic breakups are a lot like having a fire in the barn and pouring gasoline on it, sometimes,” he explained.

Meeks said Williams is speaking with investigators but has not given any statement indicating his guilt.

Williams has been charged with capital murder. He is being held in the Hunt County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.