Foul Play Suspected in Death of Holiday Lake Estates Woman, LIVINGSTON, February 18, 2009 - Foul play is suspected in the death of a Holiday Lake Estates woman who was found by a neighbor. On the evening of February 16, 2009, the Polk County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call in reference to the death of a white female discovered in her residence by a neighbor. Deputies responded to the residence located in the Holiday Lake Estates Subdivision where upon arrival the victim was identified as Linnie Jo Sanders fifty years of age. Upon further investigation of the scene and viewing the body it was determined that suspicious activity in the cause of the death appeared to have been involved. Polk County Detective Christi Allen arrived on scene where she conducted a preliminary search of the crime scene where it was then determined a search warrant was needed to conduct a thorough crime scene search of the residence.
Members of the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab in Houston, Texas were contacted and requested to assist with the crime scene search. Texas Ranger Ron Duff was contacted to assist with the investigation.
Del Ray Sanders age 50 the spouse of Linnie Jo Sanders was found to be at the residence at the time of his wife's death which Mr. Sanders was found to be under the influence of an unknown substance and incoherent at which time emergency medical personnel was summoned who transported Mr. Sanders to the Livingston Memorial Medical Center for further medical treatment.
Judge Darrell Longino conducted an inquest and ordered an autopsy to be performed by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office in Houston, Texas.
On the morning of February 17, 2009, Lt. Craig Finegan with the Sheriff's Office and Texas Ranger Ron Duff interviewed Del Ray Sanders who was charged with the offense of Aggravated Assault with Serious bodily Injury and booked into the Polk County Jail.
Further investigation continues into the death with detectives awaiting autopsy results of Linnie Jo Sanders.
The Criminal Investigation Division of the Polk County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Polk County District Attorney's Office, Polk County Texas Rangers Office, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Office of JP 1 Darrell Longino and the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.
