Boyfriend accused of murdering Richardson woman
The boyfriend of a woman who went missing on Mother’s Day in Richardson has been charged with murder, according to police.
Jason Lowe was being held at the Richardson jail on a count of murder and two drug charges.
Jessie Bardwell, 27, moved to Richardson in late 2015 from Mississippi. Bardwell went missing on Mother’s Day and her family filed a missing person’s report on Monday.
Police haven’t found Bardwell’s body, but said there is evidence of foul play.
"It is strong enough evidence that we believe the murder charge is appropriate,” said Richardson PD Sgt. Kevin Perlich.
Police wont’s say where the evidence was found.
The officer says Lowe was initially cooperative. Detectives went to his apartment on Thursday for follow-up questioning and arrested him on the unrelated drug charges.
Police aren’t stating publicly why they believe Bardwell was murdered. But they have revealed that information to the family, who has been asked to not publicly share those details.
Officers remained at the couple’s apartment near the President George Bush Turnpike and Alma Road on Friday.
It's not clear when Bardwell was last seen alive and well. A Facebook post from April showed a relationship status update and a comment that said, "I realize I fell off the face of the earth for a while, but I was clearly moving onto better things."
Police aren't saying what communication they're investigating but do say they are trying to determine if Bardwell was the one writing to family and friends as police work to retrace her last known steps.
Lowe was previously faced charges on drugs and aggravated assault.