Elderly Man Charged in the Gruesome Murder of Roommate and Pet
An elderly man has been arrested in connection with what police have dubbed the “brutal murder” of his roommate and her dog then using her credit cards to attempt to flee the country.
Just before 2 p.m. on Nov. 18, officers from the Austin Police Department were called to a home in reference to a dead person.
The case of an elderly man charged with the brutal murder of his roommate and her dog paints a harrowing picture of betrayal. Jack Moore, aged 84, had an extensive criminal record that shaped a life woven with poor choices and shadows from the past. When officers arrived at the home of 83-year-old Linda Mlsna, they discovered her lifeless body alongside that of her beloved dog, raising unsettling questions about how such violence could manifest within the walls shared by roommates.
The Discovery of a Heartbreaking Scene
It had been six long days since anyone had heard from Mlsna. Family members, worried about her absence, visited her home in Austin and found a scene they would never forget. According to court documents obtained by FOX 7 Austin, a family member found Mlsna’s body in a downstairs closet, tragically covered by her deceased dog. The odor of decay hung in the air—a poignant reminder of lost life and shattered trust.
As police entered the domestic space, they noted signs of struggle—a broken piece of furniture denoting a fierce altercation that concluded in violence. Detective Israel Pena articulated the community’s shock during a press briefing, saying a neighbor had observed the unsettling signs of decomposition. It was clear this was more than just an unfortunate death; it was a homicide.
The Investigation Unfolds
Initially, Moore was unaccounted for, leaving investigators puzzled. However, it soon came to light that he had used Mlsna’s credit cards to make a series of fraudulent purchases—a desperate attempt to escape the consequences of his actions. Detectives later found him and arrested him on an unrelated warrant, unraveling the layers of deceit.
During subsequent interrogations, Moore confessed to the grim acts, explaining he feared Mlsna’s family would uproot her from her home—where she wished to remain until the end. Ironically, in an attempt to prevent that outcome, he committed the ultimate betrayal. He even killed the dog, claiming he wanted the pet to accompany Mlsna in death—an assertion that chills the heart and clouds the mind. According to the arrest affidavit, he believed he was bestowing a twisted form of loyalty.
The Unraveling of a Tragic Tale
Evidence uncovered at the scene painted a disturbing portrait. Mlsna’s blood was discovered in multiple locations, and her cell phone provided final alerts about suspicious transactions made after her death. The scope of fraud was startling—36 gift cards purchased in just 21 transactions, raising questions about the morality buried in these acts.
Moore was ultimately arrested again, this time for his actions tied to the murder and a parole violation for a separate carjacking incident. At the time of his arrest, authorities found numerous gift cards, some linked to Mlsna, alongside personal jewelry items, suggesting a deeper pattern of greed and manipulation. A life lived in the margins of the law had led him to this tragic and violent conclusion.
As investigators delved deeper, they unearthed Moore’s dark history of criminal behavior, including bank robberies that led to prison time. The gravity of this case weighs heavily on the Austin community, with Mlsna’s death standing as the 63rd homicide of the year. This was not just a crime; it was a cruel reminder of the potential for violence that can brew behind closed doors, even among those who once shared a home.
With Moore now held at the Travis County Jail on a $1 million bond, the echoes of this tale foster deep contemplation about trust, companionship, and the fragility of kindness—elements that can easily become twisted in the hands of the troubled. As the case unfolds, Mlsna’s family and community are left grappling with a profound loss and a sense of betrayal that continues to cut deep.
