Harris County homicide detectives are investigating the death of 21-year-old Maysie Murphy.
CROSBY, Texas — Harris County authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a Crosby home where deputies found a 21-year-old woman dead Monday after a suspect called for help, officials said.
The victim was identified as Maysie Murphy. Authorities said Courtney Smith, 55, was charged with murder after deputies responded to the 17800 block of Adlong Johnson Road, near U.S. 90, and found Murphy inside the home with apparent gunshot wounds.
The call began as a request to meet a deputy at about 3:48 p.m. When deputies arrived, they spoke with a woman believed to be the caller. Officials said she claimed she had killed her granddaughter and her granddaughter’s boyfriend. Deputies found Murphy, but they did not find a male victim.
Maj. Ben Katrib of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said investigators did not believe Murphy was Smith’s biological granddaughter. He said Murphy had a close relationship with the couple who owned the home and was viewed by them as a granddaughter. The couple was out of town when the shooting happened.
Smith and Murphy both lived at the property, officials said. Investigators said Smith may have been allowed to stay there after meeting the homeowners online. Authorities did not say how long Smith had lived at the home or what led to the shooting.
Deputies had been called to the property earlier Monday, around 1:30 p.m., after Smith reportedly said she was seeing demons. Katrib said deputies asked questions but did not have enough information to seek an emergency detention order, so the earlier call was cleared.
Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators remained assigned to the case. Officials had not announced a motive or described the weapon used. Smith was booked into the Harris County Jail, and the case remained under investigation Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated May 19, 2026.