A Texas woman, Lisa Honrud, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the 2002 disappearance and death of her husband, Frank Weiss. The cold case, which had remained unsolved for nearly 24 years, was cracked late last month thanks to advancements in investigative techniques and new information from a key witness, according to the Frisco Police Department.
The Crime and Disappearance
According to a recently obtained arrest affidavit, Lisa and Frank Weiss were last seen together on the evening of June 2, 2002, when they reportedly went out to dinner. This was the last time anyone saw Frank alive. Investigators believe that during their time together, Lisa shot Frank with a .38 caliber revolver before disposing of his body in Lake Lewisville, within the Frisco city limits.
Two days later, Frank’s body was discovered weighted down with sandbags and wrapped in black bags, tied up with rope. The affidavit claims the sandbags were duct taped to his legs in an attempt to keep the body submerged.
Deceptive Statements and Financial Motive
After Frank’s death, Lisa reportedly told Frank’s daughter that he had gone to Cancun and didn’t want to be disturbed. This false explanation was given just after Frank had submitted a change of beneficiary for his life insurance policy, naming his daughter as the sole beneficiary. While it’s unclear if Lisa was aware of this change, investigators believe it may have played a role in the motive for Frank’s murder.
New Witness Testimony
The case remained cold until advancements in forensic technology and the emergence of a new key witness led to a breakthrough. The witness, who had given Lisa a .38 revolver before Frank’s disappearance, reportedly told detectives that after learning Frank had been killed with a .38 revolver, he confronted Lisa. According to the affidavit, Lisa allegedly admitted, “we got rid of it” by throwing the gun off a bridge over Joe Pool Lake.
Honrud’s Arrest and Family’s Statement
After years of no leads, Lisa Honrud was arrested and charged with murder following the renewed investigation into her husband’s death. The Frisco Police Department credited modern technology and new information for finally solving the case.
In a statement following the arrest, Carla Weiss, Frank’s daughter, described her father as a “wonderful man” who was taken from her far too soon. “He deserved better than this and we deserved to have him in our life a lot longer than we did,” she said.
The Legal Process
Lisa Honrud is currently facing charges of murder in the first-degree. The case, now being reopened after more than two decades, has shocked the community, with many reflecting on the painful loss of Frank Weiss and the delay in justice for his family.
