Man Charged With Murder in Fentanyl Death of Bacliff Mother Found in Driveway

BACLIFF, Texas — A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with the fentanyl-related death of a 37-year-old mother who was found in her driveway earlier this year, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded around 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2026, to the 4700 block of 2nd Street in Bacliff for a report of a deceased person. They found Amanda Tsipai, a mother of three, dead in her driveway, partially standing and leaning into her vehicle. Investigators later determined she had been in that position for approximately 18 hours.

During the investigation, deputies discovered two children inside the home, both deceased. Authorities said a 10-year-old child had been caring for a 3-month-old sibling for about 18 hours while their mother was outside. A third child was not at the residence at the time.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Organized Crime Task Force led the investigation. Detectives used cellphone data, surveillance footage, and forensic analysis to identify 25-year-old Dishod Armon Rowe as the individual responsible for distributing the narcotics that led to Tsipai’s death.

An autopsy conducted by the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office found an exceptionally high level of fentanyl in Tsipai’s system, exceeding a lethal dose.

On March 24, 2026, investigators presented their findings to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, which accepted a murder charge against Rowe. His bond was set at $500,000.

Rowe was taken into custody on March 25, 2026, following a coordinated effort involving the Major Crimes Unit, Organized Crime Task Force, Crime Reduction Unit, and SWAT team.

The investigation remains ongoing.