Harris County deputies said Courtney Smith was charged after Maysie Murphy was found dead inside a home.
CROSBY, Texas — Harris County homicide detectives are investigating a deadly shooting at a Crosby home where deputies said a woman charged with murder had contacted authorities earlier the same day.
Courtney Smith, 55, is accused in the shooting death of Maysie Murphy, 21, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Deputies found Murphy dead Monday inside a residence in the 17800 block of Adlong Johnson Road after responding to a call for service. Smith was later booked into the Harris County Jail.
The investigation began Monday afternoon when a woman asked for a deputy to come to the home. Deputies arrived about 3:48 p.m. and spoke with a woman they believed was the caller. Officials said the woman told deputies she had killed her granddaughter and her boyfriend. Deputies searched the residence and found Murphy dead from apparent gunshot wounds. No male victim was found, and officials later said they had no evidence that a boyfriend existed or had been shot.
Investigators said the home belongs to a couple who were away at the time. Smith and Murphy had both been living there, authorities said. Officials said Murphy was not Smith’s granddaughter by blood. Major Ben Katrib of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said early information showed Murphy was close to the homeowners and was considered like a granddaughter to them. He said Smith may have been someone the homeowners met online and allowed to stay at the property.
The sheriff’s office also confirmed that deputies had responded to the address earlier Monday after Smith allegedly reported seeing demons. Officials said that call came around 1:30 p.m. Deputies did not pursue an emergency detention order because they did not have enough information under the circumstances, authorities said. That earlier response is now part of the broader timeline detectives are reviewing as they examine what happened before Murphy was killed.
Murphy’s parents shared written statements describing their daughter as caring and joyful. Rachael Novak, Murphy’s mother, said her daughter was a blessing to be around and a strong sister to her siblings. Patrick Murphy, her father, said Murphy’s death left “a hole and hurt” felt by many people who knew her. Authorities have not said whether Smith and Murphy argued before the shooting.
Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators processed the home after the shooting. Officials had not released details about the weapon, the number of shots fired or a possible motive by Wednesday, May 20. Smith’s case will move through Harris County criminal court as investigators continue gathering evidence.
Author note: Last updated Wednesday, May 20, 2026.