Editor’s note: This article contains graphic details that may be considered disturbing.

A 49-year-old Somerset man has been charged with murder in the death of his wife after authorities say he lived with her decomposing body for more than a month.

Charles Vandoil Byrd was initially arrested by Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday when deputies discovered the body of his wife, Angela Byrd, wrapped in plastic inside their Somerset-area home on charges of tampering with evidence.

A relative had contacted law enforcement after not having seen Angela in weeks and concern about a foul odor at the residence. When questioned about the smell, Byrd blamed the odor on septic issues. 

Sheriff Javier Salazar said Byrd later confessed to investigators that he strangled his wife during an argument on June 16, accusing her of infidelity. Byrd told detectives he used one hand to choke Angela while biting her face several times, drawing blood — while watching her take her last breath. 

“This was his first arrest. He actually used the term ‘go big or go home’” Salazar said. “ Even for those of us that have been in law enforcement for decades, that’s shocking to hear somebody say about a spouse that they murdered and spent 32 days in the home with that decomposing body.” 

Murder charges were delayed until the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office could positively identify the decomposing remains.

Byrd now faces two counts of tampering with evidence — one related to his wife’s body, the other for allegedly destroying a truck and cell phone — in addition to the murder charge. His bond is set at $650,000.

Salazar emphasized that the killing was part of a growing trend of domestic violence-related homicides in Bexar County. Of the 19 homicides the sheriff’s office handled in 2024, 10 were linked to domestic violence.

“If you know somebody that’s involved in a domestic violence or dating violence type situation, urge them to get out because it doesn’t go away, it escalates to the point where someone usually dies,” he said. “It is a preventable crime. If you want to prevent it and you want to get out of it, there are resources available to you. If you don’t take steps to prevent it, namely get out of that situation, it’s not going to go away.”

The Investigation is ongoing, and Salazar said additional charges are possible for others if authorities find out they intentionally helped Byrd avoid arrest.