'Is It Illegal to Kill an Illegal Immigrant?' He Allegedly Asked Google^® — TX Man Charged With Fiancé's Death

Ty Vaughn's mug shot. Photo courtesy of Baytown Police.

In a chilling case that has shocked the Baytown, Texas, community, a man's alleged disturbing online search preceded the tragic death of his fiancé.

Discovery of the Body

On Jan. 14, 2025, 31-year-old Ty Vaughn called 911, reporting he had found his fiancé, 27-year-old Luis Banos, dead from a gunshot wound in their apartment. Vaughn said he discovered Banos' body upon returning home early that morning, around 5:30 a.m.

However, an arrest affidavit obtained by local media tells a different story. Surveillance footage showed Vaughn arriving home shortly after 4 a.m. — more than an hour earlier than he told police. Just minutes later, two neighbors reported hearing a gunshot. At 4:27 a.m., Vaughn sent a text to Banos, whom authorities believe was already dead, asking, "Babe? Babe why are you not texting back?!?!" according to Newsweek.

At 5:38 a.m. — 93 minutes after the shooting — Vaughn called 911, telling dispatchers, "My spouse is dead. Help. My life is over," as reported by Newsweek. When officers arrived, they found Banos' body on a bed with a lever-action rifle next to his arm and a torn photo of the couple nearby.

Inconsistent Statements and Evidence

During questioning, Vaughn provided inconsistent statements about the events leading up to Banos' death. Investigators found evidence suggesting the scene had been altered in an attempt to appear as a suicide. "There were some indications, including blood on the bed away from the position that the complainant was found in, that the scene had been tampered with essentially," prosecutor Michael Hanover told KHOU.

Disturbing Online Search

A critical piece of evidence emerged when detectives examined Vaughn's phone. They discovered that, prior to the shooting, Vaughn had allegedly searched online: "Is it illegal to kill an illegal immigrant," as reported by KHOU. This alarming search raised further suspicions about his involvement in Banos' death.

During his interview with detectives, Vaughn told them Banos was "an illegal," according to the Houston Chronicle. Banos was originally from Guerrero, Mexico, and had family living in the Baytown area. Despite Vaughn's claim, authorities have not confirmed Banos' immigration status.

Arrest and Charges

Based on the evidence, Vaughn was arrested on March 7, 2025, and charged with murder. He is currently being held at the Harris County Sheriff's Department Detention Facility on a $500,000 bond, awaiting his next court appearance scheduled for April 30, 2025.

The tragic death of Luis Banos has left the Baytown community in shock. As the legal process unfolds, many are grappling with the unsettling details surrounding this case. This investigation is ongoing.

References: Texas Man Googled 'Can I Kill an Illegal' Before Fiancé Died: Police | Suspect in murder of fiancé searched online about killing an 'illegal immigrant,' Texas police say | Baytown man searched internet 'is it legal to kill an illegal immigrant' before shooting his fiancé, Harris County DA's Office says | Army veteran accused of killing fiancé and staging death as suicide at Baytown apartment