A 23-year-old Newton man is the second suspect to be arrested in connection with a 4-years-long murder investigation that began when Randy Holmes was reported missing in 2017.
Jaret Chaudoin has been indicted on charges of murder and tampering with evidence relating to the 2017 disappearance of Randy Holmes, according to Newton County Criminal District Attorney Courtney Ponthier.
He was taken into custody over the weekend in an unrelated incident that occurred in Jasper County.
Chaudoin was also arrested twice in 2019, public records show, and charged with evading arrest and assaulting a family member.
Holmes’ remains were recovered in 2019 after Chief Deputy Cynthia Hall received a tip on a possible location, according to a press release from the time.
“We brought out a bunch of cadaver dogs and had Texas Rangers,” former Newton County Sheriff Billy Rowles told The Enterprise in 2020. “We executed a search warrant at the beginning, but we have been at it for years.”
Law enforcement officials still do not have a clear motive for the killing, although there is some evidence to suggest that it could have been retaliation for an attack against a family member.
“We have our theory, but nothing has been admitted yet,” Rowles said in 2020.
Ponthier declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
In March 2020, another suspect arrested in connection with the investigation had his house burned to the ground shortly after he was released on a $1 million bond.
Michael Toby Peck had just left prison after a three-night stay when his house was burned to the ground, despite efforts by local firefighters to put out the blaze.
Peck’s attorney, Bill Morian Jr., said he believed the fire was set intentionally.
“It was arson, it had to be,” Morian told The Enterprise in a March 2020 interview. Peck was not at home at the time the fire was set.
Ponthier said Peck was recently arrested again on a charge of tampering with evidence “related to the same 2017 disappearance.”
The fire at the Peck residence is also still under investigation.
Chaudoin was arraigned Monday by Judge Mike Greer, with bond set at $1 million for murder and $75,000 for tampering with evidence.
Chaudoin and Peck are the only two who have been charged and arrested relating to the disappearance, Ponthier said, adding that there are no other people expected to be arrested at this time.
“But the case is still under investigation,” she said. “New information could present new suspects. Anyone with any information should contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Newton Police Department or the Texas Rangers.”
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