UPDATE
Texas authorities say the woman suspected of kidnapping Austin woman Heidi Broussard pretended to be pregnant around the same time as the slain mother, according to KVUE-TV reporter, Tony Plohetski
Law enforcement officials said at least one person is behind bars in connection with the death of Heidi Broussard, a mother who vanished from Austin with her 3-week-old baby on December 12.
The suspect reportedly said she, too, was pregnant while Heidi was pregnant with her infant daughter, Margo. The woman reportedly carried out the scheme for nine months and had been plotting to take Heidi’s baby away from her.
Authorities found Margo alive inside a Houston home on Thursday night. She was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. Heidi was found deceased at the location.
A car found at the home is registered to Magen Rose Fieramusca. She is currently in custody at the Harris County Jail facing kidnapping and tampering charges. Her bond has been set at $60,000 for now, but upgraded charges are expected.
Meanwhile, authorities also confirmed that they have no reason to believe that Heidi’s fiance, Shane Carey, had anything to do with her abduction or death.
The story continues to develop. Check back for updates.
UPDATE, Friday 7:10 a.m. ET
A family member confirmed to NBC News that authorities believe the body found in a Houston home on Thursday is Heidi Broussard.
According to the report, Heidi’s mother Tammy Broussard said that positive identification is still pending a completed medical examination, but that the deceased woman is likely her daughter.
Heidi’s infant daughter Margot Carey was also found in the home. The newborn baby is in good condition, her grandmother said.
Police have not yet publicly confirmed the identity of the remains found.
CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.
ORIGINAL STORY
Numerous law enforcement officials surrounded a home in Houston on Thursday, and officials say it’s in connection with missing Austin mom Heidi Broussard and her infant daughter, Margo.
ABC 13 reports that authorities conducted a “high profile investigation” at a home off of Bo Jack Drive in NW Harris County. Investigators secured the area with crime scene tape and were specifically concentrating on a Nissan parked in the driveway. The car reportedly belongs to someone that Heidi knows.
At around 8:15 p.m., authorities entered the residence.
Officials removed a body from the location after a medical examiner’s van arrived on Thursday night. So far, the identity is unknown.
A female infant was taken from the home after Child Protective Services called the local fire department for a reported evaluation. Cy-Fair Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Daniel Arizpe confirmed with KXAN that the infant is a 1-month-old with “no obvious injuries or problems.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Heidi was last seen dropping her son off at Cowan Elementary School in Austin on Thursday morning at around 7:50 a.m. Friends and family said she dropped the boy off at a book fair at the school.
Authorities said Heidi and Margo returned home afterward, at the Club at Summer Valley apartments off of West William Cannon Drive and South First Street. At some point, after they arrived home, both mom and baby disappeared. The apartment complex is around three miles away from the elementary school.
Heidi’s fiance, Shane Carey, reported her missing at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, around 12 hours from the last time he said he spoke to her.
Carey said he arrived home from work at around 2 p.m. on Thursday and didn’t see Heidi or baby Margot. He claimed Heidi’s belongings, aside from her cellphone, were left behind, along with the baby’s belongings.
Carey reportedly told authorities that he received a call from their son’s daycare at around 6 p.m. Apparently, no one had picked the boy up yet. Carey, who is also the father of Margot, said he subsequently contacted 911.
Carey explained that he didn’t call police beforehand because he thought Heidi had gone to her friend’s home in the same apartment complex.
“Everything was like she was home,” Carey told FOX 7. “I mean that’s why I thought she was at her friend’s house…..Her car seat is upstairs, her purse is upstairs, her ID, wallet; there are no signs of her taking the baby. She would never leave her car door unlocked. Her car door was unlocked. So that’s a weird sign.”
The pair have been together around a decade, according to Carey. He said he’s never known Heidi to have enemies and doesn’t know of anyone who would want her harmed.
“I just don’t see why no one heard any screams or anything out here so we’re trying to put the puzzle pieces together,” Carey said.
Carey said when he tried to call Heidi on Thursday afternoon, it went straight to voicemail.
“It’s just the only thing gone is [Broussard] the baby, her keys and her cellphone, which has been off since I tried to call her at 1:40,” Carey said.
Security footage from the elementary school confirmed that Heidi was at the school Thursday morning, but since then, no one has heard from her.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Heidi Broussard/Police Handout]
