Woman admits to killing mother and stepfather, dumping bodies in ravine

A couple was taken into custody in Texas after the woman reportedly confessed to murdering her mother and stepfather.

On April 8, 29-year-old Cassandra Lange and 30-year-old Joby Williams were arrested and charged with capital murder linked to the deaths of Cherry and Stephen Rehbein, as stated in a news release from the Medina County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).

The arrests occurred on the same day MCSO began their investigation, prompted by a welfare check call after Stephen failed to appear at work. At a home in Mico, authorities discovered “evidence” that a crime had been committed.

Although MCSO did not disclose the specifics of the evidence collected at the scene, it led deputies to secure a search warrant and gather additional evidence.

Through technological means, they tracked down Stephen’s vehicle, which was moving near Corpus Christi.

Supported by the Corpus Christi Police Department, officers pulled over the vehicle and found Lange and Williams, alongside two children, inside.

Police subsequently questioned Lange, identified as Cherry's biological daughter, and Williams. 

During this questioning, MCSO alleged that the 29-year-old “admitted that she and Williams murdered her mother and stepfather, and disposed of their bodies in a ravine.”

After this purported confession, Medina County investigators began examining the area around Medina Lake. Initially, the search was impeded by “nighttime conditions.”

“After several hours had passed, deputies discovered two large black garbage bags hidden in a deep ravine along FM 1283,” MCSO reported.

The remains inside the bags were retrieved and brought to a medical examiner for autopsy, where they were confirmed to be Cherry and Stephen.

MCSO Sheriff Randy Brown explained that Lange and Williams were apprehended approximately 7 hours after the initial welfare check call came in.

“The quick cooperation and tireless work of everyone involved allowed this case to progress quickly and the suspects to be caught without delay,” the sheriff said.

The two children — one aged 6 years, and the other just a month old — discovered with the suspects in the vehicle have been placed with Child Protective Services and are reuniting with their relatives, stated the MCSO.