A twisted love triangle has emerged in Texas after a woman murdered her partner over the weekend.
Karin Stewart, 51, was arrested on Saturday on murder charges after allegedly confessing to killing a man thought to be her boyfriend, James Hargrove.
However, when Karin appeared in court on Monday, a woman named Sandra Hargrove told outlets covering the case that she was James’ wife and knew nothing about Karin.
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Covering the incident, Update Plug reports the shooting occurred at 2:20 am on Saturday at a home on Buttress Root Drive, located in a Texas town called Spring.
Karin reportedly became enraged when James came home with another woman and told Karin he was in love with her.
The 41-year-old woman James brought to the property has not been named, and she fled the scene unharmed.
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When questioned by the police, Karin allegedly confessed to shooting James in a ‘fit of jealous rage’ after he professed his love for the other woman.
Harris County constables arrived at the scene to find James suffering from gunshot wounds and he died shortly after being rushed to nearby Houston Northwest Hospital.
But speaking to news outlets on Monday, Sandra insisted she was James’ wife and said she has been married to him since 2009.
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Sandra added that they had decided to separate in November but remained ‘best friends’ and talked daily. She also said they had discussed getting back together.
Sandra reportedly broke down while saying: “He’s still my husband. I mean, we have grandkids, we have kids, we have nieces and nephews. That’s still my husband.”
She said she had no idea about James and Karin’s relationship, let alone his third romance with the unnamed woman, who told cops James said he and Karin were in an open relationship.
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Sandra also said James had only just recovered from COVID and spent four months in a coma. What’s more, she said he was paralysed for an entire year and had suffered a stroke, kidney failure and two heart attacks.
Karin is not due back in court until 17 August and her bail is set at $75,000 (£60,000).
ABC spoke to the woman who fled the scene over the weekend, and the unnamed individual said she was not expecting Karin's reaction and claimed Karin had gone into a bedroom to retrieve a gun before firing at James.
CCTV footage shows the woman fleeing the scene after Karin allegedly starting shooting.
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Sandra has since set up a GoFundMe for James' funeral costs and described Karin as his 'caregiver'.
UNILAD has approached Harris County Sheriff's Office for comment.
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Aisha Nozari