Hedwig Village Murder: Former Housekeeper's Son Is Charged

HOUSTON, TX — Police have charged the son of murder victim Janeil Hooten Bernard's former housekeeper with killing the 79-year-old Hedwig Village resident, and a community is breathing easier this morning.

Michael Susberry was arrested on Tuesday evening and is in custody on a capital murder charge. Hedwig Village Police Department officials said that Susberry confessed to the murder, which occurred in Bernard's home on Capri Street on July 2.

In what officials are treating as a premeditated assault, Susberry, who was familiar to Bernard, was let into the house by the victim; Susberry had often picked up salary checks for his mother. According to statements from the police department, Susberry pretended to fall in the house, and then head-butted Bernard when she leaned over him to see if he was OK. Susberry then stabbed Bernard several times and took a few small items from her home before leaving in the victim's red Cadillac.

Susberry abandoned the car in south Houston, where it was found on July 4. Surveillance video placed Susberry near Bernard's home on the day of the murder.

Bernard's neighbors remembered the victim fondly, and expressed shock that the crime happened in the area.

"She was a great neighbor, she seemed independent, friendly, her son came to visit, just a great neighbor, Laura Bryant told KHOU. "She borrowed a few things from me once when her grandchild was coming because we had small children the same age, just a wonderful woman."

Bryant had two sons and two grandchildren, but lived alone; she had resided in Hedwig Village for 50 years.

Susberry's mother, Moteel Susberry, 89, worked as Bernard's housekeeper for 57 years, and expressed doubt that her son could have killed her former boss. On July 5, however, she had harsh words for whoever killed Bernard:

"I hope they catch whoever did it and stab them, but before they die, before they send them to the pen or whatever, they need to be sent to the back of the pen by they self for life with no parole," she said, as reported by KTRK. "That's what need to happen ... Or let me get ahold of 'em and I fix 'em."

— Image: Michael Susberry (Texas Department of Public Safety)