Husband of missing Hood County woman faces murder charge; human remains found
The husband of a missing Hood County woman was in jail Thursday, accused of killing her and then hiding her body.
Edward Michael Pautenis, 59, was arrested Wednesday by deputies with the Hood County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers.
Pautenis was taken into custody in the 2100 block of Ruth Smith Drive in Granbury.
Human remains have been found in Hood County, and authorities believe they could be those of Pautenis’ wife, 29-year-old Jennifer Pautenis.
A positive identification of the remains had not been made as of Thursday.
“It could take months to get the results on DNA,” said Lt. Johnny Rose with the Hood County Sheriff’s Office in a Thursday email to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Jennifer Pautenis disappeared on Oct. 20.
“I’m glad to see this case move forward,” said Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds in a statement released Wednesday. “My investigators worked non-stop since Jennifer was reported missing and my hope is we give Jennifer’s family some type of closure on this terrible tragedy.”
Edward Pautenis was in the Hood County Jail in Granbury on Thursday, facing charges of murder and tampering with evidence.
Hood County authorities did not release a motive for the killing or any other details.
