Missing woman’s husband arrested on murder charge in Hood County

A 59-year-old man has been arrested on a murder charge as Hood County investigators try to determine whether a body they found is his wife, who has been missing since October,

Edward Michael Pautenis was arrested Wednesday in the 2100 block of Ruth Smith Drive in Granbury and has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence, Hood County sheriff’s deputies said.

He is being held at the Hood County Jail. His bond information was not available.

The charges stem from an investigation into the disappearance of 29-year-old Jennifer Pautenis, who has been missing since Oct. 20.

Remains believed to be hers were recently recovered in Hood County, investigators said, and they will be turned over to a forensic lab to determine an identity.

“I’m glad to see this case move forward,” Sheriff Roger Deeds said. “My investigators have worked nonstop since Jennifer was reported missing and my hope is we give Jennifer’s family some type of closure on this terrible tragedy.”