Suspect sought in mother's death

HOUSTON The suspect, Joel Burt Thompkins, 47, is charged with capital murder in the 209th State District Court. Thompkins, a black male, 6'3" tall, 245 pounds and bald, is accused in the death of Bridget Renee Jones, 46. Jones suffered trauma to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jones was found dead in the entryway of her apartment by a friend who came to provide a ride to school for Jones' child. The child was found sleeping in another room, unharmed in the attack.

Police say evidence from the scene determined the motive to be robbery. They believe Thompkins stole various items including a laptop computer, a child's game system and a Panasonic 37 inch LCD television set from Jones' apartment and sold them for narcotics. He is believed to have fled in a white Mazda 626, with Texas license plates FGR-230, also stolen from the scene.

Anyone who may have purchased items from Joel Burt Thompkins in the past week, or with information on this case or his whereabouts is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.