Labyrinth Of Lies: The Murder Of Melissa Sowders.

Melissa Rene Sowders

"To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...

but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.

Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.

Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,

God picked me up and hugged me and He said, 'I welcome you.'

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.

I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.

There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.

God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years

because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.

Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.

But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.

I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;

but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...

that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,

then you can say to God at night......'My day was not in vain.'

And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,

knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,

just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;

I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,

remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me."

-Ruth Ann Mahaffey 

She was born on June 19th, 1987 in Houston, Texas to Sonia Newsom. Melissa was a 26-year-old mother of four and pregnant when she went missing on Thursday, December 26th, 2013. 

"Love you guys. Sorry I haven't been around much before. But now that I'm with Jason, I will be around a lot more. I missed you guys. Merry Christmas,"  read Melissa's father as he clung to every last word Melissa wrote on his Christmas card. He last saw his daughter Christmas Day, just hours before she vanished.

This was the first time in years that Melissa got to spend with her family. In the past, her now estranged husband, Matthew Sowders, wouldn't really let her spend time with her family. But now they weren't together and she was with someone new, her childhood friend, Jason Sanford. Jason was the father of the baby boy growing in Melissa's tummy. This was the couple's first holiday together and sadly it would also be their last.

Melissa was in the middle of a messy divorce after being together nine years. She had granted Matthew full custody of her kids while she got her finances in order. She knew that Matthew's adopted father and well-respected journalist, David Sowders, would help him out until she got on her feet.

Melissa had never been away from her kids for Christmas before, so the day after, she met Matthew around 11 a.m. at McDonald's in the area of Interstate 45 just north of FM 1960, in northwest Harris County.  Jason was on the phone with Melissa until Matthew showed up. That was the last time he'd ever talk to her again.

Jason waited all day for Melissa to call him after she was done spending time with her girl's. Around 7 p.m., Jason still hadn't heard from Melissa nor was he able to get a hold of her, so he went to the Harris County Sheriff's Office to report her missing. They notified her family and now the frantic search for Melissa began.

Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies and volunteers searched around the area where Melissa was last seen and came up empty handed.

The next day, less than 24 hours after Melissa disappeared, a neighbor of Matthew called 9-1-1 with a story to tell. She said that she visited Matthew and saw feet on the ground. The 9-1-1 operator sent an officer to talk with the neighbor in person. When the officer arrived, the neighbor told him that she had knocked on the door of Matthews apartment. And that when Matthew answered the door she asked him why his daughter was crying. He said that his daughter was just upset. That is when the neighbor noticed the feet on the floor. She told the officer that they looked like female feet. The neighbor then said she asked Matthew "Whose feet are those behind the couch?"  And that Matthew had replied, "It's none of your business." And then he slammed the door.

After talking with the neighbor, deputies were sent to Matthew's apartment. They knocked and announced themselves, but no one answered, so cops barged through the door. Inside there was no body or apparent evidence of a crime. However, Matthew was called down to the police station for questioning.

When Matthew arrived at the station, officers asked him if anything crazy happened. He replied no, but then went on to claim that he and Melissa were still intimate and Jason didn't know. Matthew also claimed that before she left that night, that Melissa said that she was a horrible mother. He said that she then left on foot after she turned down a ride that he had offered.

Officers then asked Matthew about the neighbor that came for the unexpected visit, the one that had called 9-1-1. Matthew denied that the neighbor ever stopped by. They then asked him if he would take a polygraph test. Matthew responded by saying, "I'll be clear soon enough. We don't need the poly to do anything." He then told officers to look into Jason.

That evening, Melissa's car was found abandoned in a transport company parking lot on the North Freeway just north of Richie Road, near Cypress Creek.

Police pulled Jason's police record which was revealed to be violent. Just three months before Melissa disappeared, Jason was arrested for assault. This made investigators question his involvement in Melissa's disappearance so they pulled him in for questioning. During the interview, it was revealed that Jason was going through a divorce. And the assault charge was from him getting into a fight with his best friend that he found out was sleeping with his wife. Jason also offered to take a polygraph.

Police then talked with Melissa's best friend. She claimed that Matthew was obsessed with Melissa and that he was possessive and wanted her back. The best friend also said that Melissa was afraid of going over to his apartment. She claimed that Matthew even tried to kidnapped Melissa from work one night.

Another 9-1-1 call came in.

Operator: "Harris County 9-1-1. Do you need police, fire, or ambulance?

Caller: "Police... I need to turn somebody in."

The caller was scared and wanted to remain anonymous. She told the operator that she was a really good friend and lover of Matthew Sowders. She claimed that he visited her after Melissa went missing. Matthew had came over at night soaking wet from head to toe with his truck was all muddy and with a story of what happened to Melissa.

Caller: "He said that he blacked out and snapped and choked her to death and dumped her body in Spring Creek in a trash can.

Saturday, Texas EquuSearch volunteers looked for Melissa on foot, by boat and by ATV along and near Cypress Creek. Crews scanned the bottom of the creek, and a helicopter flew overhead to do the same. 

An anxious and hopeful Jason, arrived to lend a hand.

Investigators then asked Matthew's girlfriend, the anonymous caller, if she would wear a wire and get him to confess again. The girlfriend agreed and three days later, she recorded a conversation between her and Matthew. During this conversation, his girlfriend asked him what his lawyer said. Matthew said that he told his lawyer everything that happened and the lawyer said he had a good case. Matthew went on to tell his girlfriend that he thought he could get away with murdering Melissa since no body had been found. His girlfriend then urged Matthew to turn himself in and that Melissa deserved a proper burial. Matthew said he'd think about it.

In the meantime, authorities searched the area of Cypress Creek where Matthew liked to fish. It is now January 2nd, 2014, and searches noticed something down stream, below the water. It was a body with a tattoo near the hip bone that read, "Matt." Later the coroner confirmed that the body was Melissa's.

The discovery of Melissa's body tore her family and Jason's heart out.

Due to the weather and Melissa's body being submerged in water, the coroner couldn't find the exact cause of death, but they did rule her death as homicidal violence.

Authorities were able to get a warrant for Matthew's arrest. With undercover special ops teams watching his house, police arrested Matthew as he attempted to leave the house with his dad. He was charged with Melissa's murder.

Once Matthew was in custody, he was informed that they had found Melissa's body. With tears in his eyes Matthew stated that he wouldn't talk to anyone but his lawyer. 

Matthew appeared in court on capital murder charges involving Melissa and the unborn child. Prosecutors were sure that Matthew knew that Melissa was pregnant when he killed her. They also thought that that was probably the motivation behind her murder, but weren't sure that they could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. So prosecutors had no choice but to vacate the capital murder charge for a murder charge.

Matthew plead guilty to murder and was given a 60 year sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years. His father said that he was proud of coming forward and doing the right thing.....

Melissa's children remain with Matthew's parents and will grow up without her.