Leah Breuer, a 38-year-old woman from Oklahoma, has admitted to the brutal murder of her former boyfriend, David Peeler, 44, in Texas. The murder, which took place in April 2023 at the Village Square Apartments in McLennan County, involved Breuer stabbing Peeler over 50 times in the torso and leaving the knife lodged in his neck. The crime was reportedly committed with the assistance of her sister, Joann Cometsevah, 34.
Breuer entered her guilty plea on Monday, with prosecutors recommending a 35-year prison sentence in return. The judge presiding over the case accepted the plea deal. Meanwhile, Cometsevah is facing charges of murder and tampering with evidence for her alleged involvement in the attack.
Both sisters were scheduled for trial on Monday, but Breuer’s plea agreement was announced before proceedings could begin. Cometsevah is reported to have reached an agreement with the District Attorney’s office, although no details have been released, and a date for her next court appearance has not been set.
The sisters were previously accused by the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office and local police of conspiring to murder Peeler and then attempting to cover up their involvement. Breuer allegedly confessed to authorities that Cometsevah tampered with evidence by removing the murder weapon and other items related to the crime from the scene. This information was reportedly relayed to authorities by an informant at the jail where Breuer was being held.
Peeler was found by police on a deflated air mattress at the Village Square Apartments, having suffered multiple stab wounds to his torso and neck. Bryan Cantrel, Breuer’s attorney, described the case as “brutal” and expressed sympathy for the victim’s family.
During the court proceedings on Monday, Peeler’s family delivered victim impact statements. One of his younger sisters expressed her grief and horror at the thought of her brother’s final moments.
Breuer and Peeler reportedly had a history of domestic issues, including an alleged incident in October 2022 where Breuer attacked Peeler with a car key. However, no charges were filed at the time. Prosecutors Ralph Strother and Duncan Widmann praised the work of the Lacy Lakeview Police Department and their own investigators in securing Breuer’s guilty plea, bringing some closure to Peeler’s family without the need for a trial.