Man who decapitated new wife found dead in Texas prison cell

A Texas man sentenced to 40 years in prison for decapitating his wife — and just months after their wedding — was found dead in his prison cell from what authorities said was a self-inflicted injury.

Jared James Dicus pleaded guilty in 2024 to murdering his wife, Anggy Diaz, according to a KTRK.

On Jan. 11, 2023, Discus’ parents called 911 to report a death on their property, in a small cabin behind their home near Magnolia, a city about 45 miles northwest of downtown Houston. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Diaz’s headless body inside the residence, which was covered in blood.

According to court documents obtained by Fox 26 Houston, Diaz was had suffered multiple stab wounds to the back, and police found “what appeared to be the head of the victim to be in the shower.” The kitchen knife used in to carry out the carnage was also there, according to authorities.

“Gruesome scene at best,”  Sheriff Troy Guidry said at the time.

The grisly killing came just four months after Discus married Diaz in October 2022.

Discus was later arrested and ultimately took a plea agreement. He would have been eligible for parole in 2043.

On Friday, Discus was found hanging from the neck inside his cell at the Wainwright Unit in Lovelady, according to a state death report obtained by KLTV. Despite efforts to revive him, Discus was pronounced dead by EMS around 11 p.m.