Missing mother found dead – infant daughter discovered alive and well
Prime suspect in killing is one of the victim's best friends
AUSTIN, Texas (KYMA, KSWT, KECY/NBC News) - There has been a stunning and tragic twist in the disappearance of a Texas mother and her infant daughter.
Police found Heidi Broussard dead overnight, but her infant daughter was miraculously discovered alive and perfectly healthy.
As NBC News' Sam Brock reports, one of her best friends is now in custody facing kidnapping charges while investigators are trying to unravel a sordid mystery.
Texas Rangers and FBI Agents flooded the home of a woman who was once one of Heidi Broussard's closest friends.
Investigators say they discovered Broussard's body in the trunk of a car. She had been strangled. Her baby Margot was found safe inside the house.
“We hoped to find Heidi alive; unfortunately that wasn't the case, but very thankful though we were able to recover Baby Margot.” said an FBI spokesman.
Megan Fieramusca, also known as Maygen Humphrey, is now charged with two counts of kidnapping and tampering with a corpse.
A photo of the old friends together this summer provides sharp contrast to the woman seen in court on Friday.
Caressa Nolte is another of Broussard's closes friends. She said she's having a hard time processing the developments.
"I was disgusted." she said. "I was heartbroken...I was shocked. I didn't expect this."
Nolte says she talked with the suspect every day. "She was concerned for Heidi, but it was probably every 2 or 3 hours."
Friends say Humphrey told them she was pregnant. She had an online baby registry, listing the same due date as Broussard.
In fact, Humphrey was in the room when Broussard gave birth.
"You want to talk about a plot twist? I have been in contact with Maygen this whole week, and she played it off perfectly." said Rachel West, another close friend of both women.
Until last night, the investigation was focus 150-miles away in the apartment complex where Broussard lived with her boyfriend and two children. It was here she was last seen more than a week ago.
“A lead generated that created a location of interest in the Houston area." said a detective.
The investigation continues. Prosecutors say additional charges may be filed.
