"It's more of a rural area. I think everybody knows most people," said Sheriff Jack Brandes.
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But the small quiet community is now keeping him busy as his investigators work their first murder case since December 2020.
"It's very unusual. Austin County is a quiet neighborhood," said Brandes.
Kathy Maresh shot her husband twice in the chest last Tuesday, investigators say.
The 56-year-old was found wandering around a busy highway more than eight miles away from her home when a passerby called 911 to check on her, deputies said.
"Then she made the statement that she shot her husband," said Brandes.
Her husband, 62-year-old Jimmy Dale Maresh, was found shot to death inside their long-time home just outside Bellville.
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"She supplied the information -- where it took place and what happened. So our deputies made the location at the residence and noticed a body in the house," explained Brandes.
Kathy Maresh was then arrested for murder and now sits behind bars on a $500,000 bond.
Neighbors told ABC13 the couple kept to themselves and Brandes says there is no known motive.
"I just regret that it happened, you know, sad thing," said Brandes.
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