Cable worker accused in slaying of 83-year-old Texas grandmother

A cable installer is accused of fatally stabbing an 83-year-old Texas woman, authorities said.

Roy James Holden Jr., 43, was arrested Friday and charged with capital murder and remains in the Dallas County Jail in lieu of a 500,000 bond, KXAS reported.

Betty Thomas, of Las Colinas, was found dead Thursday in the living room of her home Thursday with several stab wounds, according to an arrest affidavit. Thomas' wallet and identification were missing, but blood was found in her purse, KXAS reported.

"Investigators have been working tirelessly … to piece together what had occurred. We do know that the suspect worked for a utilities service provider and that is how he knew Ms. Thomas,” Irving Police Department spokesman Officer Robert Reeves wrote in a statement posted to social media.

Store surveillance cameras led police to Holden, KXAS reported.

According to police, Holden used Thomas' debit card after she was killed, the television station reported. Thomas' doorbell camera also caught Holden walking into the woman's home about 4 p.m. Thursday, wearing gloves and the same clothing that he was wearing when at the store, according to KXAS.

Holden worked for Spectrum but was off-duty at the time of the slaying, according to KTVT. He has since been fired, the television station reported.

A Spectrum spokesman released a written statement to WFAA, writing, "This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the victim and her family and friends. We are actively working with Irving police as they conduct their investigation."

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