Man Charged with Murder 15 Years After Ex-Girlfriend Was Found Strangled in Her Apartment

A cold case that remained unresolved for 15 years has taken a major turn after a Texas man was arrested and charged in connection with the death of his former partner.

Earnest Harold Smith, 54, was arrested on September 18, 2026, in connection with the 2011 death of Bridget Caldwell, 38, according to the Houston Police Department.

Caldwell was found dead in her Houston apartment on March 6, 2011. Investigators later identified Smith, who had been in an on-and-off romantic relationship with her for approximately five to six years, as a suspect in the case.

According to court documents cited in news reports, Caldwell had reportedly told people close to her that she feared Smith might kill her if their relationship ended. Those reported statements have taken on renewed significance as investigators revisit the case more than a decade later.

The investigation remained unresolved for years. However, Houston police said new evidence eventually helped connect Smith to Caldwell’s death, leading to his arrest and a murder charge.

The case highlights the challenges investigators face when trying to solve older homicide cases, particularly when evidence must be reassessed years after the original investigation.

For Caldwell’s loved ones, the arrest represents a significant development after years without a resolution. However, an arrest and criminal charge are not the same as a conviction, and the allegations against Smith must be resolved through the legal process.

Authorities have not publicly established Smith’s guilt through a trial, and he should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: PEOPLE, Houston Police Department, ABC13 Houston