Emma Presler: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Emma Presler is a 19-year-old Texas woman who is wanted in the murder of a Houston man who was set on fire. She was previously arrested, but not charged, in a 2020 murder. Presler was charged with murder on August 23, 2021, in the August 6, 2021, arson fire that left Devin Graham dead, Houston Police said in a press release. Graham’s wife, Karissa Lindros, was critically injured in the fire, police said.

Graham, 33, was killed and Lindros, 26, was seriously injured in the August 6, 2021, attack at their home on Aspen Glade Drive in the Kingwood area of Houston, the city’s police department said in its press release. A woman, who police now say they have identified as Presler, was seen running from the scene.

Presler was previously charged with murder in September 2020 in the fatal drive-by shooting of 20-year-old Sierra Rhodd in Cypress, Texas. But a Harris County judge found no probable cause to charge Presler with murder during a September hearing and she was released from custody. Prosecutors could have taken the case to a grand jury, but it was not immediately clear if she was charged. Four men, including Presler’s boyfriend, were arrested in the deadly shooting in October 2020.

Rhodd, who had cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, was killed while sleeping in her bed on September 13, 2020. Rhodd’s father told KHOU he believed his 15-year-old son was the intended target of the shooting because he had been feuding with people involved in a gang called “10K.”

After Presler was named as a suspect in the Houston murder and assault, Rhodd’s mother, Krystalee Rhodd, told ABC 13, “I wake up and think about it. I go to sleep and think about it. I have nightmares. “I thought it was a failure of the system, definitely. These monsters took her from me, and it just… I think that they all need to be in jail for it, including [Presler].

In the latest case against Presler, the Houston Police said, “Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Emma Presler is urged to contact the HPD Major Assaults & Family Violence Division at 713-308-8800 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.”

Here’s what you need to know about Emma Presler:

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1. Presler Went Into the Victims’ Home, Poured an ‘Unknown Substance’ on Devin Graham & Then Lit Him on Fire, Also Burning Karissa Lindros, Houston Police Say

Emma Lou Presler is accused of entering the victims’ home and setting a fire that killed Graham and injured Lindros, the Houston Police Department said in a press release. The incident happened about 10 p.m. on August 6, 2021, police said.

Houston Police Major Assaults & Family Violence Division Officers Brian Godoy and Joshua Windham said in a statement, “HPD patrol officers responded to a report of an arson at a residence at the above address and learned Mr. Graham and Ms. Lindros had been transported via Life Flight helicopter to the hospital with severe burns.

The officers added, “Graham told police a female suspect had entered the residence and poured an unknown substance on him and lit him on fire. Lindros was then also burned as a result of the incident.” Lindros suffered burns to 70 percent of her body, her family said.

“All I can think about is that house being on fire, and that guy screaming. It’s just been pretty bad,” Jeff Wilson, a neighbor who called 911, told ABC 13. “You could tell he was burned, bad. He did not have any clothes on, and his skin was just peeling. You could tell he was hurt badly because he was screaming his lungs out.”

Lindros’ mom told the news station Lindros suffered “unbelievable injuries,” and added, “These two did not deserve this. They have two small daughters who are now left with no father.”

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2. Presler Was Found in a Red Pickup Truck Police Say Witnesses Had Seen Fleeing the Scene of the 2020 Drive-By Shooting & Rhodd’s Family Expressed Outrage That Presler Wasn’t Charged in Her Murder

In the 2020 shooting, multiple shots were fired at a house in Cypress about 11 p.m. on September 13, police said. Witnesses reported seeing multiple vehicles fleeing from the scene. Rhodd was sleeping at the time of the shooting. Photos and video from the scene showed multiple bullet holes in the windows of the home. Her father told the Houston Chronicle between 40 to 50 shell casings from four different guns were found around the house.

“My girl didn’t do nothing to deserve anything,” Michael Rhodd told KPRC. “She has cerebral palsy, laying in the bed and you shoot her in the face.”

He told Fox 26 he was going to see if his daughter wanted any food when the gunshots erupted. “I went to ask her what she wanted to eat,” he told the news station. “About the time that happened, they started shooting. All I could do is grab my wife, throw her to the ground, and try to run to my kids, and when I did, I got to her room, and she was just laying there. I tried to do everything I could, and I couldn’t do nothing.”

Authorities said Presler was arrested after she was found driving a red pickup truck in the area of the shooting. The truck was registered to her boyfriend. Presler’s father, Bill Bagby, told the Houston Chronicle at the time, We do not think she is responsible for the shooting. It’s a little hard to wrap our heads around.”

When Presler appeared in court on September 15, 2020, Harris County Judge James Callan said there was no probable cause to hold her on the murder charged and ordered she be released, telling prosecutors they could try to have Presler indicted through a grand jury. According to Click2Houston, Callan said that even though Presler’s location and being found in a red pickup truck that witnesses say they saw fleeing the scene makes her a logical suspect, there isn’t any evidence that she fired a gun.

“Just because I drive a red truck doesn’t mean I’m involved in a murder,” Callan said in court, according to ABC. “There’s a lot of things that indicate she may be involved, but until you have something that goes beyond reasonable suspicion, you don’t have probable cause.”

Callan continued: “At this time, I don’t think y’all have probable cause,” he said according to the Houston Chronicle. “Most people involved in a drive-by, they do the drive-by and then they haul a** and they go somewhere — who knows where. They don’t hang around the crime scene.”

Rhodd’s mother, Krystal, expressed being outraged about Presler not being hit with charges. She told ABC that she felt there was enough evidence. “I don’t know what else evidence they need,” she said. “She was there. She was in the car. I’m sick to my stomach about the whole thing.”

“I just want all of them to go to jail and rot in hell,” Rhodd’s mother added. “That’s what I want, because I will never, ever be the same, ever. She was the heart of her family. I don’t even know what I would do without her. She was my best friend.”

In October 2020, four men — Austin McCalla, Jason Cisneros, Andre Colson and Xavier Fletcher — were charged with murder in Rhodd’s death, the Harris County Sheriff said on Twitter. Authorities said McCalla was dating Presler.

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3. Presler Was Previously Arrested on Theft & Drug Charges & Is Also Currently Wanted in Harris County on a Felony Meth Possession Charge

Presler had previous run-ins with the law before her arrest in Rhodd’s death. Presler was arrested in Harris County Jail on a charge an abuse of a debit card charge. The Houston Chronicle reported that she was suspected to have broken into a Harris County Sheriff’s Office detention officer’s  car and stealing his jacket where his debit card was in his pocket. She pleaded guilty to theft of property in March 2020, according to Montgomery County court records.

She was arrested on July 11, 2019 on charges of possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest, Bail Bonds HQ wrote. In February, Presler was wanted for failure to appear on a possession of a controlled substance charge according to Montgomery County Police Reporter.

Along with the murder charge in Graham’s death, Presler is also wanted in Harris County on a felony methamphetamine possession charge, according to court records. She has been wanted in that case since March 2021. In that case, a police officer with the Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4 said in a report obtained by Heavy that he found .06 grams of meth in a plastic bag in Presler’s purse during a traffic stop.

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4. A GoFundMe Has Been Set Up to Help Lindros, a Mother of 2, & to Help Her Husband’s Family

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the victims’ families, including their three children. “Karissa is a Very Sweet, Young, Beautiful, 26 year old Mama to 2 very beautiful, bright young girls,” the GoFundMe campaign says. “She is now laying in a hospital bed suffering from Excruciating amounts of pain no one should ever have to experience, while having surgery after surgery, & fighting hard every single second of every single day just to survive.”

Johnnie Davis, the campaign’s creator, added:

Karissa is the Innocent Victim of a Excruciatingly Painful, Cruelly Inhumane, and Unbelievably Tragic & Torturous Act of Violence that No Human or Animal Deserves to have happen to them. And something NO Family should EVER have to go through.

This Horrible Act was Purposely & Premeditatedly done to both Karissa & her Husband Devin, with an expectedly Disturbing Outcome Planned. And it was done by some Very Vile, Extremely Evil, Horribly Sick & Twisted & flat out Really Bad Inhuman(s) Monster(s), who have no Care at all for Human Life, Whatsoever. This Violent Act of Evil has already taken the life of Karissa’s Husband Devin, leaving 3 Young Children now without a Father. And 2 Small Children with a
Mother Fighting Hard to survive with over 70% of her body burnt and would give Anything just to hold her Babies in her arms again or even See & Talk to them again.

Our Sweet Karissa has had, Still Needs & Will Continue to Have & Need an Unbelievable Amount of Medical Care & Help & an Unthinkable Amount of Surgeries. And She Will Continue to Need Many of these for Many Years & even some for the rest of Her Life.

So, We are trying to raise as much Money as We Can to Help Karissa & Her Family with the Many Past, Present & Future Medical Bills, Costs, Medical Care & Help & Surgeries. And just to Help with Many Other Things, Needs & Any Financial Costs and/or Worries She/They may have or will have. And Hopefully ease some of the Burden off of Them a Little, because They are dealing with Way More than Anyone should Ever have to deal with.

The GoFundMe adds, “Some very disturbed inhuman beings doused/threw gasoline on Karissa & her husband Devin and then set them all on fire. Devin passed away less than 2 days later and Karissa is in the hospital in very critical condition with over 70% of her body burnt, fighting for her life. We are trying to raise as much money as we can to help Karissa & her family to pay for all the medical costs and future procedures and just anything they may need.

Davids continued, “Two families lives were completely changed for the worse that night, leaving 3 young children without a father, and 2 of those children having a mother fighting everyday just to survive. They already have so much to worry about & deal with, they shouldn’t have to worry about how they are going to afford things like this. So if you are able to, could you please donate anything you can to help them out.”

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5. Police Have Not Released Any Information About a Motive in the Attack on Graham & Lindros

Investigators have released few details about the arson attack that left Graham dead and Lindros seriously injured. Police did not say if they have a motive in the case. And they did not specify what led them to charge Emma Presler.

Lindros’ aunt, Lisa Sherlock, told ABC 13 that Presler knows her niece, but did not provide any other information about how they know each other. “Why?’ is the biggest question? Why? We actually have a name now, and a face, of who did this,” Sherlock told the news station. “Devin has three children who will now have to grow up without a father. [Lindros] is fighting every day of her life to come back to her little girls, her sisters, her mother, and to our family.”

Sherlock added, “Oh God, please, if you know where she is, if you know anything about where she’s staying, please, please come forward. Karissa and Devin did not deserve this.”

Krystalee Rhodd told the news station, “My heart goes out to them. I know how it feels. I’m just sorry we didn’t get justice the first time, or this wouldn’t have happened.”

Houston Police said in the press release, “Witnesses reported seeing a white, four-door sedan fleeing the area after the incident. The suspect is described only as a white female, 25 to 30 years of age. Further investigation led to the identity of Presler as the suspect in this case and she was charged for her role in the incident.”

Presler is facing a charge of murder in the 435th District Court and the case is being prosecuted by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Presler and her family could not be reached for comment by Heavy and it was not immediately clear if she has hired an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

Tanay Hudson contributed to this report for Heavy in September 2020.