Affidavit: Suspect in murder of Fort Cavazos soldier called brother and asked him to pick up his kids after killing their mom

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - The Killeen Police Department arrested John Gitau Mwangi, 42, in the murder of his wife, Esther Gitau, 37, an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Cavazos.

At about 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 21, police officers were dispatched to a home in the 3300 block of Lakecrest Drive to conduct a welfare check.

A man reportedly called police to alert them that his brother, Mwangi, called him and told him to go to his home to “come get his children” because he had just shot his wife. The man further said that Mwangi told him he would find the victim’s body in a bedroom.

When the officers arrived, they encountered the couple’s two children, who were unaware of the murder, police said. The children let the officers into the home and told them their dad had left to go get food and that their mother was asleep in the bedroom.

The officers located the body of the 37-year-old victim in a bloody shirt in the locked master bedroom, police said. She had suffered several gunshot wounds to her right arm and buttocks, police said, adding the woman also had lacerations on her face.

The bedroom, officers revealed, was in disarray and covered in blood spatter. Three shell casings were found inside.

The woman was pronounced dead at about 9:30 p.m. by a justice of the peace.

Officers further questioned one child, who stated that she heard her parents arguing and some “banging noises.”

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect, identified in a police report as Mwangi, and arrested him without incident at Fort Cavazos.

Mwangi is being held without bond on a murder charge.

Sgt. Gitau was a Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist assigned to the 1st Medical Brigade, III Armored Corps at Fort Cavazos. She had previous assignments at Naval Station Norfolk and Fort Knox.

Her awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Esther Gitau, a valued member of our 1st Medical Brigade family. Sgt. Gitau was an exceptional Soldier who will be missed by all who knew her,” said Col. Werner Barden, Commander, 1st Medical Brigade.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time, and we will do everything in our power to support them in the days ahead.”

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