Houston man accused of stabbing K-9 charged with killing dad with dumbbells and hiding the body

HOUSTON (TCD) -- A 26-year-old man who allegedly stabbed a K-9 unit and stole a car is now accused of killing his father, hiding the body, and evading police.

According to Houston Police, on Saturday, Jan. 22, officers received a call about an attempted carjacking on the 800 block of Memorial Heights Drive. The suspect, Ryan Smith, reportedly fled into a nearby store, where he stole some goods and left. Houston Police located Smith in a parking garage at the Memorial Heights Drive address, and he once again tried to run.

Police reportedly used their K-9 unit to find Smith. The dog, Nate, found Smith behind the building, and Smith allegedly stabbed him. Smith was taken into custody and Nate was rushed to an emergency veterinary center, where he underwent surgery. Houston Police said Nate had a successful surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

Family members bonded Smith out of jail the next day.

In a Jan. 25 press conference, Houston Police Commander Kevin Deese provided updated information about another case allegedly involving Smith.

After his release, Smith reportedly went to a residence on the 14700 block of Carolcrest Drive. Smith’s family grew concerned because they had not heard from the home’s main occupant, who police believe is Smith’s father. Family members searched the property but did not find anything overly concerning except for Smith’s father’s cellphone, which was "uncharacteristic" of him to leave behind.

Houston Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit and Homicide Division went to the residence on Carolcrest to search for Smith’s father but did not find anything.

Plainclothes investigators reportedly noticed a truck belonging to the decedent and noticed Smith in the driver’s seat. They followed Smith and called on other marked units to follow and conduct a traffic stop. Deese said a pursuit ensued and Smith crashed his car, then fled the scene.

According to Deese, homicide detectives went back to the home on Carolcrest and conducted yet another search. They ultimately found a victim dead in the garage "from not natural causes." Deese said the victim was "hidden in a location that made it very difficult for anyone to find him."

Houston Police said in a subsequent news release that a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper located Smith walking in Bellville. He was taken into custody and charged with murder and felony evading arrest.

According to The Associated Press, which cites court documents, Smith allegedly hit his father in the head using a 15-pound dumbbell and then tied a plastic bag around his head.

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