---
title: The Lost Knife - Blackfish Files - Blackfish Intelligence
description: A Blackfish Intelligence investigation recovered a missing knife and forensic evidence in a Texas murder case, leading to a self-defense acquittal.
image: https://blackfishintel.com/hubfs/Website%20Images/Knife_in_Car.webp
---
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# The Lost Knife
THE BLACKFISH FILES
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## Offense
First-degree Murder (Texas Penal Code 19.02)
## The Allegation
Our client was indicted for first-degree murder after fatally shooting his sister’s male house guest.
## Our Client
He was a quiet man who had never been in trouble, and certainly no violent history.
## His Version of the Story
The client stated that the man’s erratic and aggressive behavior concerned him, particularly in regards to his young niece having to be at home alone with the man after school while her mother was at work. He made it a point to go to his sister’s house in the afternoons as often as possible to watch over his niece. On this particular day, he stated that the roommate was intoxicated, violent, and had advanced on him with a knife, however, responding officers found no weapon near the body. The State’s theory was that the "knife" was a fabrication designed to justify the execution of an unarmed man. He stated that he panicked after the incident and grabbed the knife as he fled the home, leaving it in the car, and even telling law enforcement exactly where it was, but they never recovered it.
## Our Findings
Our investigation found that the evidence at the crime scene supported the client’s version of a crime scene that moved as the male advanced towards him. The missing knife was problematic though, so our investigators searched for the vehicle, which had changed hands three times in the last three years. Once we located it, we searched the car and found a wicked-looking knife right where the client said it was. We promptly sent it to the DNA lab to test for the deceased man’s DNA, which was present and firmly established that he had handled the knife extensively.
## The Outcome
We presented our findings at trial, to include revealing the discovery of the knife and the test results. Our client was subsequently acquitted of all charges based on self-defense.
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### PRESIDENT & SR. INVESTIGATOR
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## JD Spielman
### PARTNER & SR. INVESTIGATOR
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With over 10 years of experience leading complex investigative operations, Maddy Wickham is a recognized leader in high-stakes surveillance and background investigations. Named the 2025 Blackfish Investigator of the Year, she excels at surveillance operations, infiltration tactics, and multi-layered investigative strategies that deliver critical results. From skip-tracing, missing persons, asset identification, advanced OSINT analysis, and criminal investigations, Maddy has a proven track record of winning, saving clients millions of dollars in lawsuits through meticulous investigative work. She also excels in online reputation management and privacy protection, helping high-profile individuals and executives shield their personal information from public exposure. Known for her caring and disciplined approach, Maddy consistently delivers actionable intelligence that drives successful outcomes.
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- [Fourth Of July Fireworks](https://blackfishintel.com/blackfish-files/fourth-of-july-fireworks)
- [Acquitted Of All Charges](https://blackfishintel.com/blackfish-files/acquitted-of-all-charges)
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