HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Six months before her tragic death, Tenesha Richards, 25, reported to the police that a man was threatening and harassing her. On the evening of July 2, Richards was found dead inside her condo at the Idlewood Complex near Westpark and Gessner.
Bruce Wayne Gerard, 43, has been charged with capital murder in connection with her death. According to a search warrant, Richards had named Gerard in a police report filed in December 2023, stating he had recently been released from jail and was sending her threatening text messages. The report mentioned that Richards received between 44 and 88 missed calls from Gerard, along with numerous texts in which he threatened her. Richards expressed fear that Gerard would find out where she currently lived and stated she was scared for her life.
On July 2, a neighbor called 911 after hearing a disturbance in Richards’ unit. Surveillance footage showed Gerard listening at Richards’ door before repeatedly ringing the doorbell and pacing for approximately 12 minutes. The video then captured Richards partially opening the door, after which Gerard forcefully pushed his way inside, either punching or pushing Richards, and then closing the door behind him. He was seen leaving the unit three to four minutes later.
Gerard was arrested on July 5. A subsequent search of his car revealed a handwritten plan to locate Richards using her Social Security number and phone records, as well as a note stating, “I will find Tanesha Richards.” Investigators also found Richards’ tax returns and a photo of her with the message, “No weapon, no evil eye, no curse of the 3rd party will work, and no person can control or stop us,” written on it.
Court records do not specify the nature of the relationship between Richards and Gerard. Gerard, who is being held without bond, is on parole for a 2005 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction, for which he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
