ABC13 story credited with helping authorities to track down suspected killer

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It was a web story posted on ABC13.com that's being credited with tracking down an accused capital killer across the border, and bringing him back to Houston to face charges.

Danny Lee Neelys was arrested by Mexican authorities Monday night in a McDonald's restaurant in Nuevo Leon. He's said to have been unarmed and surrendered peacefully. He was turned over to the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and US Marshals on the other side of the International Bridge.

What led to his apprehension was a series of tips to Houston Crime Stoppers Sunday night, shortly after Neelys was accused of killing his brother-in-law and 15-year-old nephew. According to a court document, his sister-in-law says he sexually assaulted her. Investigators say Neelys was at their home, demanding to know where his estranged wife and children were. When he didn't get an answer, he's accused of killing them.

Rania Mankarious, executive director of Houston Crime Stoppers, says the ABC13 web story, and others like it, are crucial to generating leads. "They go across city lines, state lines and country lines," she says.

Just 24 hours after the crucial tip was received, Neelys was in custody and in handcuffs.

According to his criminal record, Neelys had a record that spanned more than a decade. His one stint in prison was a five-year sentence for burglary of a family member's home. He was paroled after one year.

What may have sparked his rage is a sexual abuse of a child complaint, for which he was being investigated. The case is still open. Neelys has not been charged.

"There's an investigation underway. I can't disclose what type," says Harris County Sheriff's spokesperson Deputy Thomas Gilliland. "It could be the catalyst to what happened in the house."

Neelys is described as being uncooperative with the investigation. He remains in jail, without bond.