Where is Steven McDowell Now? 2024 Update & Background
Steven McDowell, born in Texas, lived a life that was seemingly ordinary but eventually became notorious due to his criminal actions. Not much is known about his early years, but he had a relatively stable upbringing, which ultimately led him into a career and a seemingly normal life in Baytown, Texas.
He married Crystal McDowell, and the couple spent over a decade together, raising two children. Steven worked in various jobs, but his career never quite took off in the way Crystal’s did. This imbalance in professional success might have contributed to friction within their relationship.
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The Marriage and Its Downfall
Despite having a seemingly average family life, Steven and Crystal’s marriage had its troubles. After ten years together, their relationship began to unravel, ultimately leading to their divorce in June 2017. Crystal moved on, finding happiness in a new relationship with jeweler Paul Hargrave, which contrasted starkly with Steven’s inability to move on from the marriage.
While Crystal continued to live at Steven’s residence temporarily due to renovations at her own home, their relationship remained civil on the surface. However, it became clear to those close to Crystal that Steven was struggling with their separation and had not accepted her desire to move on with her life.
The Murder of Crystal McDowell
On August 25, 2017, Crystal disappeared after leaving Paul’s house to pick up her children from Steven’s residence. Her disappearance quickly raised suspicions due to Steven’s inconsistent statements and behavior. Investigators soon zeroed in on Steven as the prime suspect, given his history with Crystal and his apparent unwillingness to accept the end of their marriage.
Steven eventually confessed to murdering Crystal after a heated argument at his house. He strangled her, wrapped her body in a blanket, and disposed of it in a wooded area in Chambers County. He attempted to cover up the crime by abandoning her car in a motel parking lot, intending for it to be flooded or stolen during the chaos of Hurricane Harvey.
Trial and Current Status
During his trial, Steven claimed that the murder occurred in a fit of “sudden passion,” attempting to reduce his sentence by arguing that he had not planned the act. However, the evidence presented painted a different picture. Surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and the calculated disposal of Crystal’s body indicated premeditation. The jury rejected his defense and found him guilty of murder.
Steven McDowell was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with no possibility of parole for the first 25 years. He is currently serving his sentence in a Texas correctional facility, where he remains, reflecting on the actions that led to the tragic loss of Crystal McDowell and the devastation it wrought on their family.
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