Fugitive arrested in ‘suspicious’ death of woman — as he wears sweatshirt with chilling message
Officials had offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to Wanser’s arrest on Monday, a day after Pennington’s body was discovered. Azle Police Department
A Texas fugitive was arrested while wearing a sweatshirt bearing a threatening message, as authorities investigate the suspicious death of a 37-year-old woman.
Kruz Dean Wanser was taken into custody and charged with felony tampering or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and a parole violation, officials said Thursday.
Wanser had been sought by the Azle Police Department, the Texas Rangers, and the U.S. Marshals Service after Margaret Pennington was found dead inside her home in Azle last Sunday. A $1,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest one day after Pennington’s body was discovered.
After his arrest, Wanser was booked into the Azle jail. His booking photo shows him wearing a purple sweatshirt with a threatening message printed on it. The shirt read: “I will put you in the trunk and help people look for you. Stop playing with me.” Wanser also has a tattoo beneath his right eye.
Pennington was pronounced dead just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 at her residence in the 100 block of Lakewood Drive, about 20 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
According to records from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner, the cause and manner of Pennington’s death have not yet been determined. Authorities have not charged Wanser in connection with her death, and officials have not disclosed whether the two knew each other.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and are continuing to seek additional information.
Court records show Wanser has faced three separate criminal cases in Tarrant County since 2021, including a charge for evading police with a vehicle and two drug possession cases filed between 2022 and July 2025.
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