July 18, 2024 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal stabbing of a woman found at 8435 Tidwell Road about 2:55 p.m. on Monday (July 15).

The suspect, Ralph Sample, 67, is charged with murder in the 482nd State District Court. Sample's booking photo is attached to this news release.

He is accused in the death of his partner, Paulette Francis, 62.

HPD Homicide Division Detectives L. Patterson and N. Henderson reported:

HPD patrol officers responded to a report of a deceased person at the above address and found Ms. Francis unresponsive and covered by multiple blankets.  Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced her deceased at the scene.

Investigators learned that a witness went to the location to check on Francis and upon arrival found her unresponsive. Further investigation determined she had suffered stab wounds.

Detectives identified her partner, Sample, as the suspect in this case.  Sample was arrested on Wednesday (July 17) for an unrelated incident and admitted to detectives his role in Francis' death.  Sample was subsequently charged and booked into the Harris County Jail.  


Ralph Sample



Update: SOA/VHS   7-18-24
JKS/SOA      7-16-24
Inc. #101827124