The search for the missing mother of a woman indicted for stealing her dead father’s social security benefits continues in Texas.
The Brewster County Sheriff’s Office says some items found at Judith Broughton’s property in Texas have been sent for human DNA testing.
In the past few days, crews used cadaver dogs to search the Brewster County, Texas, property of Judith Broughton looking for her 80-year-old mother, Mary Elizabeth Broughton, who hasn’t been seen or heard from in about four months.
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“They did find some stuff the dogs hit on and they guarantee us that the dogs aren’t hitting on any other type of dead material other than a human,” said Brewster County Sheriff Ronnie Dodson. “And they hit on a doorway in the house and then a tarp that was outside, so we’ve gathered them up and we’re gonna send them off to have them tested for human DNA.”
The search for Mary started after a federal financial crimes investigation led to the discovery of Judith’s father’s remains inside a unit at Econo Self Storage in Lexington in January.
The 49-year-old was indicted and arrested in Texas accused of stealing a total of $150,667 in social security retirement insurance benefits paid in the name of her father, Luther D. Broughton. That number, according to officials, could actually be closer to $250,000.
Since then, officials in Texas have been searching for Judith’s mother, Mary Broughton. In May, authorities said they had exhausted every possible avenue for locating Mary.
Sheriff Dodson describes the home Judith and Mary lived in as “worse than a city dump.” He says investigators had to use hazmat suits to get around.
“We’re very suspicious of her disappearance. Not that she, you know, was hurt or harmed, but maybe her body was disposed of,” Sheriff Dodson said.
It’s a mystery that Sheriff Dodson just wants to solved, and fast.
As for the death of Luther Broughton, the Fayette County Coroner’s Office says the cause and manner of death are listed as “undetermined” as they wait for the results of toxicology tests.
