Caregiver Indicted for First-Degree Felony Theft After Exploiting Deceased Victim

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- On April 9, 2026, 48-year-old Heather Carmichael surrendered to the Montgomery County Jail following a Grand Jury indictment for First Degree Felony Aggregate Theft. The arrest concludes a lengthy investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office into the financial exploitation of a deceased resident.

The investigation began on August 15, 2025, when the victim's sister contacted authorities after discovering suspicious activity following her sibling's death. The complainant advised detectives that she was not notified of the passing until a week later and upon visiting the victim’s residence, she discovered that the locks had been changed and the victim’s vehicle was missing.

Detectives discovered that Carmichael, who served as the victim’s caregiver, had engaged in a series of deceptive acts to seize control of the estate. Financial records later confirmed that four days after the victim’s death, Carmichael transferred more than $500,000.00 from the victim’s bank accounts into her own personal accounts.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to investigating cases of fraud and elder exploitation to ensure that those who abuse positions of trust are held accountable under the law. Carmichael was processed at the Montgomery County Jail, and the case now moves toward prosecution.