Brazos River death of Leah Adams leads to capital murder charge for Michael Hatcher — with her belongings found in his home

A Texas man was charged with capital murder after a woman was found dead in the Brazos River and her belongings turned up with him, investigators said.

Michael Wayne Hatcher, 50, of Texas, is accused in the death of 32-year-old Leah Dawn Adams, according to authorities.

On Aug. 27, Adams was found dead in the river near Mineral Wells, police said.

Her Dodge Ram was on fire nearby, according to investigators.

Hatcher admitted to investigators that he had been with Adams at the river after midnight, police said. But the suspect claimed he left and later returned without seeing her, according to authorities.

Police then began uncovering evidence that reportedly told a different story, according to investigators.

A Texas Ranger allegedly noticed what appeared to be a blood stain on Hatcher’s jeans, police said.

Inside the truck Hatcher had been driving, investigators allegedly found blood along with a bloodstained shirt, according to records.

A backpack containing a journal was also found inside the vehicle, police said.

Inside that journal, investigators located Adams’ expired driver’s license, according to authorities.

A search of Hatcher’s home allegedly turned up more bloodstained clothing, human hair, and a handgun, police said. Investigators also found another backpack inside the residence containing more of Adams’ belongings, according to authorities.

The woman Hatcher lived with also spoke with detectives, according to investigators. She told them she found the suspect passed out on a bench in the front yard the morning Adams was found, police said.

The suspect was the last person who admitted being with Adams before she died, according to investigators.

Hatcher was arrested the same day, police said.

The accused man remains jailed without bond, according to records.