Cops: Texas mother who arranged jewelry sale online followed, killed
ARLINGTON, Texas – Police are seeking clues in the death of a mother killed after arranging to sell jewelry with a buyer she met online to raise money for Christmas, reports CBS DFW.
Police say April Vancleave arranged to meet the buyer in the parking lot of a Target. She went with her husband, but the person who agreed to buy the jewelry never showed, so police say Vancleave’s husband dropped her off at home and then left for work.
Investigators now believe someone followed the pair to their home, waited for Vancleave’s husband to leave, and then attacked the 33-year-old when she was alone.
Neighbor Brandi Holder, who lives in the same apartment complex, said, “It’s sad and it’s scary, because it’s something that people do all of the time. She [Vancleave] did everything right. She went to a public place and they followed her home.”
Detectives reportedly want to talk to two men seen in surveillance video at the Target store. The video shows the men walking in and out of the store, and then driving away in a red pickup. Officials are calling them “persons of interest.”
Arlington police have sent out a letter to residents encouraging anyone buying and selling items online to meet at police stations for the in-person transactions.
It was around this time last year when Arlington police set up a Safe Exchange Zone where online buyers and sellers can meet to exchange merchandise.
CBS DFW reports that Dallas-based Oak Farms Dairy is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the person/persons responsible for Vancleave’s murder.
Anyone who recognizes the men seen in the surveillance video or has information about the incident is asked to contact Arlington police at 817-459-5735.
Anonymous tips can also be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477.


