Houston Police Arrest Suspect in 2011 Strangulation of Woman Found Dead in Apartment

HOUSTON – More than 15 years after a 38-year-old woman was found strangled inside her Houston apartment, police have arrested a man who investigators say was romantically involved with her at the time of her death.

Earnest Harold Smith, 54, has been charged with murder in the death of Bridget Caldwell. The case is filed in the 209th Criminal District Court, according to the Houston Police Department.

Caldwell was found dead at her apartment at 2401 Dunvale Street in Houston’s Mid-West area on March 6, 2011.

According to HPD, Caldwell failed to report to work that morning. Her father went to check on her and found her dead inside the apartment at approximately 3:20 p.m.

An autopsy determined Caldwell had been strangled, prompting HPD homicide investigators to investigate her death as a homicide.

Police said Smith had been romantically involved with Caldwell at the time and was identified as a person of interest during the initial investigation. He was not charged at the time.

The investigation was eventually assigned to the Houston Police Department’s Cold Case Squad.

According to HPD Homicide Sgt. M. Burrow, additional investigative work produced evidence that detectives believe links Smith to Caldwell’s killing. Police did not disclose the nature of that evidence or explain what development allowed investigators to pursue charges more than 15 years after Caldwell’s death.

Smith was arrested Friday, Sept. 18, and charged with murder. He was booked into the Harris County Jail.