A Texas man's alleged double-cross of a cocaine dealer led to the brutal retaliatory murder of his wife in Houston, according to police statements and court documents obtained by local media outlets. The tragic case highlights the deadly consequences of involvement in the narcotics trade, with a mother of five paying the ultimate price for her husband's criminal dealings.
Fatal Consequences of a Drug Deal Gone Wrong
Sherry Dawson, aged 33, died on the morning of November 5 after being gunned down in a storage unit along the Eastex Freeway in northeast Houston. Court documents reveal that the suspected shooter, 57-year-old Kip Stitts, was allegedly seeking revenge against Dawson's common-law husband, Matthew Jasso, for a substantial financial betrayal within their cocaine distribution network.
The Alleged $125,000 Scam
According to police reports, Jasso introduced Stitts to a cocaine supplier approximately one month before the murder. Stitts allegedly devised a plan to defraud this supplier, but Jasso reportedly betrayed his former friend and business partner by revealing the scheme to the supplier directly. Together, they allegedly turned the tables on Stitts, stealing $125,000 from him instead.
Working as a middleman in the transaction, Jasso took the cash under the pretence that he would exchange it with the supplier for cocaine. Instead, the dealer allegedly paid Jasso a $10,000 setup fee and kept the remainder of the money, according to reports from My Texas Daily. This substantial financial loss reportedly triggered Stitts's violent retaliation.
The Deadly Confrontation
After learning about the alleged scam, Jasso received information that an enraged Stitts was actively searching for him. Tragically, it appears Stitts found Dawson instead. Unreleased surveillance footage reportedly shows Stitts following Dawson in a pickup truck to the storage unit where the fatal confrontation occurred.
The surveillance video allegedly depicts Dawson struggling with the suspect, falling twice before Stitts ran out of the camera's frame. Multiple gunshots were then heard. Police discovered Dawson with bullet wounds to her arms, head, and neck, with cartridge casings nearby indicating she was attacked at close range.
Investigation and Aftermath
Jasso arrived at the storage unit to check on his wife and found police already investigating her murder. He immediately confessed to officials about his involvement in narcotics trafficking, according to Click 2 Houston reports. Jasso divulged Stitts's alleged role in drug operations, prompting a formal investigation into the murder.
Hours after the killing, Houston police stopped a vehicle registered to Stitts, but the suspect was not present. Court documents indicate he fled to Detroit, his hometown, the following morning. Police believe Stitts had been monitoring Dawson's home prior to her death, suggesting the attack was premeditated.
Victim Remembered
According to her obituary, Sherry Dawson was not only a victim of this violent crime but also a business owner and mother to five children. Her death represents a devastating loss to her family and community, underscoring the human cost of criminal enterprises that extend far beyond those directly involved in illegal activities.
Kip Stitts was formally charged with murder on January 16 but remains at large, not yet in custody. The Daily Mail has contacted Houston Police for further comment on the ongoing investigation and manhunt for the suspect.
