76-year-old woman was shot and killed, Texas police say. Now her daughter is arrested

One week after a 76-year-old woman was found dead, her daughter has been arrested on a murder warrant, according to police in Texas.

Irene Gray, 76, was found shot and killed in a home during a welfare check, according to an Oct. 23 news release from the Texas City Police Department.

“The loving grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend (& many more titles) was tragically taken from our family,” Irene Smith said on GoFundMe. “The family was not prepared for this horrible tragedy.”

“Momo was the life of any party and most importantly, the best of friend you could ask for in a person,” Smith continued. “She never met a stranger and would give her all for the ones she love.”

Following an investigation into her Oct. 13 death, authorities said they arrested her daughter, Sherene Lavett Washington-Harper, on Friday, Oct. 20. The 54-year-old woman is being held on a $250,000 bond.

She’s charged with murder and terroristic threat of family/household, jail records show.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time,” police said. “We will do everything in our power to ensure a thorough and just resolution to this case.”

Authorities have not provided a motive for the killing or additional details. The investigation is ongoing, according to police.

Texas City is about 45 miles southeast of Houston.

This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 2:34 PM with the headline "76-year-old woman was shot and killed, Texas police say. Now her daughter is arrested."