Man Arrested After Wise County Veteran Lauren Whitener Found Dead In Burning Home

UPDATE: Wise County District Attorney Drops Murder Charge Due To DNA Evidence

LAKE BRIDGEPORT, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Authorities have arrested a man after a war veteran was found dead inside a burning home in Wise County more than two months ago.

Rodney Maxwell, 39, was charged with the capital murder of 32-year-old Lauren Whitener, an Army sergeant who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Whitener was also a mother to an 8-year-old child.

Rodney Maxwell (Credit: Wise County Sheriff's Office)

On July 5, firefighters responded to a fire at the home in Lake Bridgeport. Officials said Whitener's body was found with multiple stab wounds in a bedroom, following the fire at her N. Main Street home.

Investigators were able to obtain an arrest warrant based on evidence that had been tested at crime labs.

Lauren Whitener (credit: Facebook)

Authorities are still searching for a motive for her death. Maxwell was also charged with two counts of arson.

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