CHAMBERS COUNTY, Texas — The case of a Beach City woman charged with murder in connection with her husband's death after he was taken to a hospital with what staff called a "suspicious illness" has captured a national spotlight.
The patient was later identified as Joseph Hartsfield of Beach City, according to a Chamber County Sheriff's Office release.
Sarah Jean Hartsfield, 48, of Beach City was indicted for murder. Sarah Hartsfield is the wife of Joseph Hartsfield.
Leads in this case have developed from as far away as Minnesota, Oregon, Arizona and Missouri, according to the release.
On Tuesday, Dateline NBC was at the sheriff's office in Anahuac, interviewing Sheriff Brian Hawthorne on the development of the case.
Lead investigator, Detective Skyler Rocz, continues to work diligently on getting answers surrounding the murder of Joseph Hartsfield, according to the release.
The Baytown Houston Methodist Hospital called Chambers County Sheriff’s Office dispatch about the suspicious illness of a patient on January 7, 2023. An ambulance brought the patient to the hospital from Beach City.
An investigation into Hartsfield’s condition began due to inconsistencies in the information provided by the hospital staff.
Deputies reached out to Chambers County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Detective Skyler Rocz for further investigation. The findings of Detective Rocz’s investigation, additional inconsistencies and other factors made Hartsfield’s illness seem “more suspicious in nature,” according to the release.
Hartsfield later died as a result of what the sheriff’s office believes was foul play.
Detective Rocz believed there was enough probable cause to meet with District Attorney Cheryl Lieck Henry. On Friday, February 3, 2023, Attorney Henry convened a grand jury.
Judge Chap Cain issued an arrest warrant and set Sarah Hartsfeild’s bond at $5 million.
“This is an active case and only limited details can be released at this time," Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said. "I appreciate the hard work of the deputies and detectives who followed their instincts and identified the suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr. Hartsfield’s death that could have been labeled as ‘death due to illness’ instead of murder."
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information
