Texes Man 'Wanted to Lay With' Fiancée's Body After Killing Her Until Odor Forced Him to Flee, Police Say

A Texas man reportedly confessed to police that he lived with the corpse of his fiancée for more than a week after fatally shooting her. William Joseph Oddo III, 52, allegedly laid with LaVera Wardell's remains "for approximately three days" following the incident.

According to an arrest affidavit, police in Denton received a call on May 19 regarding a "very foul smell" coming from an apartment. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of 39-year-old Wardell, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. A shotgun was recovered at the scene, indicating the nature of her death.

Oddo and Wardell shared the apartment, but he was not found there. Reports indicate a history of domestic violence incidents involving the couple. Oddo was later apprehended at a hotel in Mount Pleasant, where he was arrested on a felony warrant for tampering with evidence. Investigators allege he purchased cleaning supplies to alter the crime scene.

During questioning, Oddo allegedly revealed that he shot Wardell during an argument on May 6, claiming she charged at him with a knife. Following her death, he attempted to clean the apartment to conceal her body. Surveillance footage showed him buying cleaning supplies on May 13, a week after the shooting.

By the time police discovered Wardell's body, evidence of blood had been removed from the walls and floor. Oddo admitted to cleaning the scene, stating he did so because he "wanted to lay with" his fiancée's remains.

After his arrest on June 2, Oddo explained that he left the apartment due to the smell emanating from the body. Witnesses noted that his vehicle was absent from the complex after May 14. When questioned about why he did not report the incident, Oddo reportedly expressed a desire to avoid discussing it with anyone.

Currently, Oddo is being held in Denton County Jail with a bond set at $160,000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The hotline offers confidential support 24/7 in over 170 languages.