By Matthew Jackson
Staff Reporter
A Huntsville man was arrested Thursday and charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife at a local apartment complex.
Samuel R. Vanparys Jr., 38, turned himself in to Huntsville police just moments after shooting and killing 27-year-old Ellen Marie Buffington of Huntsville in his home at University Club Apartments on Montgomery Road.
According to police, the two were legally married, but had been separated for approximately one year and were in the midst of divorce proceedings.
The dispute that led to the murder stemmed from an ongoing Child Protective Services investigation concerning the couple’s 4-year-old daughter.
Both Vanparys and Buffington were employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and worked together at the Byrd Unit before Vanparys transferred to the Ellis Unit after the couple separated.
According to detectives working the case, Vanparys was only allowed to see his daughter through scheduled and supervised visits. After the murder, Vanparys told police that he was distraught over the loss of contact with his daughter and the disintegration of his marriage.
According to statements given to authorities by Vanparys, he had been contemplating the murder for approximately two weeks, and purchased a .40 caliber Glock pistol and ammunition at stores in Montgomery County two to three days ago.
Based on his statements, HPD detectives in cooperation with Texas Ranger Steve Jeter were able to obtain surveillance video of Vanparys purchasing the handgun at a pawn shop in Montgomery County, as well as footage of him purchasing ammunition at another Montgomery County store.
According to Detective Ken Foulch, Vanparys said he made the decision to kill Buffington Thursday morning.
“He said he woke up this morning and his intention was to kill her,” Foulch said.
Some time after 11 a.m. Thursday, Vanparys contacted Buffington and was able to convince her to visit his apartment. At some point after her arrival, Vanparys produced the handgun.
Buffington was able to contact her mother, a resident of Livingston, by phone for help. The mother quickly contacted a neighbor, who then called Huntsville police.
Officers responded to Vanparys’ residence just after noon. As they approached his door, they heard raised voices, and knocked.
“He asked who was there, they said it was the police. He told them he couldn’t come to the door, that it would be just a minute, and that’s when they heard the shots,” said Lt. Kevin Lunsford of the HPD’s Support Services Division.
According to the officers, between 10 and 15 shots were fired very rapidly. As they prepared to force entry into the residence, Vanparys opened the door, tossed the empty handgun to the ground, and surrendered.
Personnel from Huntsville-Walker County EMS responded to the scene immediately, and found Buffington lying face down in the living room of the apartment.
“She was still alive when she was taken from the apartment. Barely alive, but still alive,” said Sgt. Jim Barnes of the HPD. “She was pronounced dead at the hospital.”
Vanparys was immediately transported to the Huntsville Police Department, where he was interviewed by Foulch and Jeter.
“He confessed,” Foulch said. “He flat out said ‘I killed her,’ and that he had been planning it for two weeks. He was very cool, calm and collected.”
“We visited with him, and he’s been very compliant,” Jeter said. “He’s been very cooperative. Everything we’ve asked him, he’s complied.”
As Vanparys was interviewed, the entire Criminal Investigation Division of the HPD and the HPD Crime Scene Unit began processing the crime scene with assistance from HPD patrol officers, officers from the University Police Department and personnel from the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of the Inspector General.
Night shift officers from the HPD were also called in to provide extra manpower both in the investigation and on regular patrol duties.
In addition to the scene of the shooting, evidence was also recovered from the parking lot of the apartment complex and Buffington’s home.
Initial evidence shows that Buffington was shot multiple times in the torso, with some rounds fired at point-blank range. She also suffered defensive wounds to her hands, indicating a possible struggle.
Though the type of gun used indicates that as many as 16 rounds could have been fired, the exact number of shots has not yet been determined pending an autopsy.
After his confession, Vanparys was immediately transported to the Walker County Jail, where he was charged with first degree murder. Due to comments he made during the police interview expressing a desire to die, he was placed on suicide watch. His bond has been set at $2 million.
“It was a family squabble, and something just went terribly wrong,” Jeter said. “You’re talking about a 4-year-old girl who’s going to grow up without her mother and her daddy now.”
