Crystal Barnes, 43, of Houston was found dead in a ditch in northeast Houston on September 20, 2021. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Her family remembers her as beloved and called her the backbone of the household.

The family believes they know who was responsible. Investigators identified Crystal’s husband, Joseph Williams, as the primary suspect; Williams later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on November 17, 2021. Police had not publicly named a suspect in Crystal’s death at that time.

The investigation remains ongoing and the community has offered support to the Barnes family. If anyone knew Crystal, her movements that week, or saw anything suspicious in northeast Houston on or before September 20, 2021, please come forward.