HOUSTON — Renee Amber Fennel, 37, of Conroe, was arrested Wednesday evening, June 24, 2026, at her home. She faces two felony charges: burglary and theft from a graveyard.

Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Terry Allbritton stated that Fennel was arrested as a suspect in a case reported on June 15. The report stemmed from a theft call at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, located at 13001 Katy Freeway. A funeral home manager informed investigators that two mausoleum niches had been entered on June 6 at approximately 8 p.m.

Surveillance video from June 6 depicted a woman arriving in a silver SUV, entering the mausoleum, and opening multiple locked niche cases before removing items. A young child, believed to be between 3 and 5 years old, was with the woman in the video. The mausoleum doors were mistakenly left unlocked on the night of the incident, allowing entry after the facility's normal business hours.

A son of one of the deceased reported that three gold Mahjong pieces were removed from a 13-piece set placed in his father's memorial. He estimated the Mahjong set's value before the theft at approximately $3,700. A relative also reported a silver James Avery cross, worn by the deceased, was missing, with an estimated value of $150. An 'Agua' rosary, valued at about $20, was also reported taken.

Investigators connected Fennel to a silver Lincoln MKC; visible damage on the vehicle matched the SUV in the surveillance footage. License plate reader data placed this vehicle in the Houston area on June 6. The toddler seen in the surveillance video was with Fennel at the time of her arrest and was released to a family member. Fennel was subsequently transferred to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for questioning regarding other cases in that jurisdiction.