Houston Man Charged With Murder After Mother Found Dead During Welfare Check

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder in the death of his elderly mother, who was found inside her Harris County home after concerned family members asked deputies to check on her.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded around 10 p.m. Sept. 1 to a home at the 17900 block of Valley Knoll Drive in northwest Houston after relatives called 911. Family members told authorities they had not heard from Dyna Malik, 73, for several days and she was not responding to phone calls, text messages or knocks at her door.

Relatives also told deputies that Malik’s adult son, Arman Malik, had recently been living with her.

Deputies forced their way into the home and found Arman Malik, 34, sleeping in his bedroom. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he was incoherent and appeared possibly under the influence of an unknown substance.

Deputies then entered Dyna Malik’s bedroom and found her dead.

Homicide detectives interviewed family members and reviewed security camera footage from neighboring homes. Investigators attempted to interview Arman Malik, but authorities said he was not in a condition to provide a statement. He was transported to a hospital for further evaluation.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the home, where investigators and crime scene personnel processed the scene. Dyna Malik’s body was taken to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.

The investigation continued while her son remained hospitalized.

On the evening of Sept. 7, Arman Malik was discharged from the hospital and immediately taken into custody by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Criminal Apprehension Team.

Detectives had previously obtained a warrant charging Malik with tampering with evidence in connection with his mother’s death.

Malik was taken to the Sheriff’s Office homicide division and interviewed by detectives. After the interview, investigators reviewed the autopsy findings and consulted with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Detectives then charged Malik with murder in his mother’s death.

The Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed how Dyna Malik died or what evidence investigators say links her son to her death.

Arman Malik remains in the Harris County Jail awaiting his first court appearance.