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A Texas man was found guilty of murdering his estranged wife after he approached her outside of her home with a “murder kit.”
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Frederick Spears was found guilty of stabbing his wife, Mary Spears, multiple times in Arlington, Texas, on September 22, 2025.
Prosecutors said that Frederick, 57, threatened a family member with knives and he was ordered to stay away from his family just days before he killed Mary, 53.
Following the altercation with the family member, Frederick bought a knife and saw kit that he dubbed a “murder kit,” according to prosecutors.
He then went to Mary’s home in Arlington and waited there until she stepped outside. “What took you so long?” he allegedly asked Mary.
Prosecutors went on to state that Frederick attacked Mary. While she tried to fight back, she ultimately died after sustaining several stab wounds, including one to the heart.
“She was slaughtered and left for dead,” Assistant District Attorney Allenna Bangs said of the tragedy.
After the attack, Mary’s son, Ashton Spears, found her unresponsive and called for help.
Bangs said that the couple had a history of issues, and Frederick allegedly threatened to kill Mary on several occasions over the years.
The District Attorney’s office said that Frederick was eventually found behind a church in Arlington after the attack. Police said that he began stabbing himself and tried to stab a police dog when authorities approached him.
After he was found guilty, Frederick was sentenced to life in prison. The jury did not take long to determine he was guilty, with the deliberation only lasting for 17 minutes.
CBS News reported that Ashton was the family member Frederick had the altercation with days before he killed Mary.
Ashton previously shared Ring camera footage from the incident on September 17, 2025, which showed Frederick holding a knife and threatening his son. The footage ultimately led to Frederick being charged with aggravated assault–family violence.
Ashton also told the outlet that his father had a long history of violence. “You have to walk on eggshells with him. You don’t want to make him mad,” he said, adding that Mary was tired of being pushed around by Frederick.
“I was like, you know, ‘Mom, I’m tired of him pushing me around and trying to terrify me,’” Ashton said. “And she was like, ‘Please, I don’t want him to hear us’ – and he came running out of my mom’s room, and he was just cursing, screaming and yelling.”
After Frederick was arrested for his altercation with Ashton, he posted bond and was released. He was arrested days later for killing Mary.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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