The long awaited Medical Examiners report has been released. The ME has determined that Melinda Superville’s death was a suicide due to toxic effects of acetaminophen, hydrocodone and diazepam.
HOUSTON — A Houston chiropractor found dead in northwest Houston took her own life, according to an autopsy report released by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office this week.
KPRC Local 2 reported on Thursday that the medical examiners determined Dr. Melinda Superville’s cause of death was suicide due to toxic effects of acetaminophen, hydrocodone and diazepam.
Investigators said the death was suspicious because a gun was found near her body, however, the gun was never fired. To go along with no note. Also the fact that a gun and pills remained out in the open where the homeless had been known to frequent for one week and a crime scene was not disturbed.
One wonders whether this is one of those cases that there is just not enough evidence to point at anything but a suicide. Now it leaves us to speculate why would a woman take her life?
Melinda Superville; A Pictorial View of Access of Abandon Home
February 13th, 2006 at 06:27pm
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Texas EquuSearch was honored yesterday by the Houston Corporate Paralegal Association. They picked Texas Equusearch as their nonprofit of the year for 2006. Texas EquuSearch stated that “they appreciate and are very grateful for this honor”.
Their monthly luncheon was today and Tim Miller opened it with a speech about his daughter Laura being abducted and murdered and how Texas Equusearch came to be. Next they played the latest missing person DVD that has the “Laura Song” on it.
Then Chris Breaz made the most beautiful and touching speech that we’ve heard in a long time. As a reminder, Chris Breaz is the brother of Melinda Superville. The woman who was found by Texas EquuSearch volunteers after she had been missing for a week.
Its a chance to get a glimpse into what families of missing persons feel and the sense of grief yet relief of having closure. A truly inspirational speech that had many tears flowing.
Chris makes a powerful and most important statement in the very beginning of his speech that all of us need to remember.
My name and who I am is not important, but my story is.
Its isn’t about us. Its about the many missing persons that need our help so that we can provide closure. The following is Chris’ speech and a moving one it was.
Good afternoon.
First let me say that I usually get a little nervous just saying the blessing at those big family get-togethers, so you can imagine I’m as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
But Tim asked me to say a few words to you all today, and I feel compelled to share.
My name and who I am is not important, but my story is. My sister disappeared in early December. I can not convey to you the feeling of bewilderment, of loss and helplessness when someone you know and love becomes …missing! This was an adult. How much worse it would be if it was a child…my child or your child! So what do you do? Where do you look? Why is this person gone, disappeared as if into thin air? What can the police do? You wonder why haven’t the police found her yet. My sister was now missing for 5 days.
read the rest here…
January 13th, 2006 at 01:11am
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Melinda Superville’s body was found by members of Texas EquuSearch on December 9 after being missing since December 2. She was found in an abandon house that was known to be frequented by the homeless. The abandoned house is located at 2111 Antoine, is located at the intersection of Antoine & Hammerly.
The house where Melinda was found in, 2111 Antoine
Back door that was already open, door off hinges
Melinda Superville was missing for one week before she was found in the back bedroom, seen below. In an abandoned home that was frequented by the homeless Melinda was found and at her side was an undischarged gun and pills. So we are supposed to assume that a suicide scene with pills and a gun was kept intact for one week in a home frequented by the homeless. That is remarkable that nothing was touched.
A “large quantity” of assorted pills was discovered at the scene, and physical evidence indicated that Superville, 43, had ingested a large number of them, Houston police Sgt. Nate McDuell said Saturday.
A pistol was also found at the scene, but it had not been fired, and there was no sign of physical trauma to the body, police reported Friday.
McDuell did not know whether a suicide note was found.
Back Bedroom where Melinda was found.
The Chiro clinic, Superville’s home and the abandoned house at 2111 Antoine are all in close proximately to one another. To walk from the office where the keys were found in the door to the abandon house where Melinda was found takes approximately 4 minutes and 15 seconds. The street is extremely busy with nonstop traffic and multiple businesses along the way. She was wearing a bright red sweatshirt in the middle of the day and no one saw her.
The office that the keys were left in the door
Here is an interesting thing that was noticed when approaching the abandoned house.The house she was found in, 2111 Antoine, is located at the intersection of Antoine & Hammerly. The front of the house, driveway, and both sides of it are clearly visible from this intersection. It would be extremely risky to drive a vehicle up this driveway especially in broad daylight to the secluded back entrance.
However, there is a more less noticeable way to get to the same location. If one stays on Harland heading towards & passing Hammerly & taking a right on Todd St. and came up the backside of the house she was found in 2111 Antoine by accessing a paved driveway that winds around to it (from Todd St). The houses immediately behind 2111 Antoine are also vacant and the houses along with a garage block anyone’s view should you need to park.
2111 Antoine Dr, address of abandoned house where Melinda Superville was found.
January 4th, 2006 at 12:35am
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Recently the body of Melinda Breaz Superville was found in a vacant house by volunteer members of Texas EquuSearch. In some news reports, they claimed that the death was being investigated as an apparent suicide due to the pills present at the scene. According to these reports, there were pills found near her as well as a gun that had not been discharged. There was also initially a report that there was a wound to Melinda’s head.
“… said Sgt. David Crain, with the Houston Police Department. “There is a wound to the body about the head, but I can’t tell specifically where or from what.”
There was also no suicide note and her keys were initially found hanging in the door lock of her office that she shared with her husband. Melinda Superville’s home, office and vacant home where she was found are all in close proximity to one another. Later news reports would say that there was no sign of physical trauma to Melinda’s body.
With the many conflicting stories and the fact that it was unknown what happened to Melinda Superville, everyone figured they would wait for The Harris County Medical Examiner’s office to determine the cause of death. At least that’s what Melinda’s family thought.
That was until the Paris News published an article where Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville, the brother of Tom Superville, made the following statement regarding the death of his sister-in-law Melinda.
Superville said he expects his sister-in-law’s death to be ruled either an accidental or intentional overdose of prescribed medications.
“She was wrestling with some problems of depression that I did not know about,” Superville said.
Then there was a surprising obituary that was written. Surprising in the fact that it actually referenced the cause of death being a suicide as nearly all never do. Even more surprising in the fact that the ME’s office had not officially announced the cause of death.
MELINDA MARIE BREAZ SUPERVILLE’S spirit was liberated on December 2, 2005 due to an accidental overdose. She was 43.
As one can imagine I am sure Melinda Breaz Superville’s family may be none too happy with prematurely stating, let alone discussing their family members death. Prior to an official announcement as to a cause of death it is at best “bad form” to discuss it. Judge Superville’s comments and the Paris New’s printing of a cause of death as if it were fact is a bit troubling.
However, not a troubling as Christopher Breaz’ attempt to get equal time to present Melinda’s family side in her death. We at Scared Monkeys can only speculate as to what happened with the many clues and leads that were present at the crime scene and leading up to the discovery of her body. That is why one generally waits until the final autopsy to make such a comment as to rule that it was a suicide. It is rather strange that the same was not afforded in this case. The following is the letter that Chris sent to the Paris, TX paper that was not printed. Even though they allowed certain comments to be printed in their paper from Judge Superville regarding a suicide prior to any confirmation.
You will not see this printed in the newspaper, but you will here. The following is Chris Breaz’s letter in its entirety.
Dear __________, (name deleted)
I am a brother of Melinda Breaz Superville.
Firstly, in your article it was stated the “…Houston police found her body…”. That is inaccurate and can be verified with the police. I found her body as a participatory in a Texas EquuSearch SAR team. You were correct in stating Melinda was found close to their office (and also their home). Extremely close…roughly 200 yards away.
Secondly, I have a problem with the repetition of Judge Superville’s expectation of cause of death, although the final ruling may well be a pharmaceutical overdose. It is, in my opinion, unfair to make that statement prior to the issuance of an official ruling from the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office. This seems to unfairly paint my sister in a negative light, one which she can not defend herself against. Why can’t we wait until the official ruling? Are we not presumed innocent until proven guilty? What is to be gained from this premature statement?
Thirdly, I would like to know which doctor(s) the good judge spoke to regarding Melinda’s “…problems of depression…” that he – I assume previously – did not know about. Who are these doctors to divulge confidential doctor-patient information, and why were they not interviewed and quoted? What were the causes of Melinda’s supposed depression? Did the judge share that there were domestic violence incident reports filed against his brother, Thomas Paul Superville, for physical abuse of my sister and even my mother who was 73 at the time of his breaking my mother’s finger? Perhaps the judge’s statement that Melinda had been “wrestling” with some problems was right on the mark.
Lastly, I have to wonder why Judge Superville’s statements about my sister were so important to publish, and why the Supervilles insisted on adding to the obituary that Melinda’s cause of death was an accidental overdose (in spite of a refusal of ruling by the ME’s office), especially when his own brother, James/Jimmy Francis Superville (who was present in Houston during this entire time), was never acknowledged as a survivor in their own mother’s obituary published in your paper in November of 2002.
I appreciate your consideration of the above mentioned questions. Please feel free to contact me should you care to.
Best regards,
Christopher Breaz
We appreciate Chris for sharing this letter with us. He brings up many good points. Among them, how about just some common courtesy and decency for the dearly departed.
December 28th, 2005 at 06:58pm
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The following is the official obituary of Melinda Marie Breaz Superville, who’s body was found recently by volunteers of Texas EquuSearch.
An Excerpt from the statement:
MELINDA MARIE BREAZ SUPERVILLE’S spirit was liberated on December 2, 2005 due to an accidental overdose. She was 43. A 35 year resident of Houston, Melinda was born in Gary, Indiana on April 20, 1962. She graduated from Northbrook High School in 1980 and received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1985 from Texas Chiropractic College. She was also a certified Acupuncturist. Melinda embraced a universalist outlook of the world where no lines were drawn in regard to humanity we are all one people. Her mission in life was to holistically heal others, not only through the strength of her hands and vast knowledge of alternative modes of treatment, but especially from her generous heart.
(the full obituary)
I find this really strange that the first comments in the obituary are referencing an accidental overdose. Especially when there has been no confirmation by the ME as to the cause of death.
It would seem odd as well to reference such a thing as the first statement as well even if this may ever be stated officially to be the case. Normally one does not just come out and make such a statement in a case of a suicide. Something just doesn’t seem right.
We will have to wait for the ME’s findings and hear from the family regarding their thoughts of Melinda Superville’s passing.
Rest in Peace, Melinda and out prayers go out to her family.
December 26th, 2005 at 03:05pm
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The funeral for Houston chiropractor Melinda Superville will be at 1 pm today at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood. Melinda Superville will be buried at Memorial Oaks Cemetery following the service.
A memorial service for Superville, 43, will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 13350 Ashford Point.
“We look forward to seeing as many people as we can Monday night,” said Superville’s brother, Chris Breaz. “We know that Melinda, being the caring and giving person that she was, would be honored to see a large attendance.”
Melinda Superville was found last week by volunteers from Texas EquuSearch. There is some questions as to the cause of death. There was a nondischarged gun and pills present when Superville’s body was discovered, however, everyone is waiting for the medical examiners findings. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the cause of death.
December 16th, 2005 at 05:14pm
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Police are treating the death of chiropractor Melinda Superville as an apparent suicide as a hard amount of pills were found where her body was discovered.
Though police said Saturday that they are treating chiropractor Melinda Superville’s death as an “apparent suicide,” the medical examiner’s office has not yet ruled how she died.
A “large quantity” of assorted pills was discovered at the scene, and physical evidence indicated that Superville, 43, had ingested a large number of them, Houston police Sgt. Nate McDuell said Saturday.
It was also reported that the keys to her car, house and office were found hanging from the lock in the door of the business at 2601 Antoine.
The odd thing about the reference to a suicide is the reporting that when the body was initially found with a head wound.
“The body is in a back bedroom laying on the floor, and that’s about all I’m prepared to say at this point,” said Sgt. David Crain, with the Houston Police Department. “There is a wound to the body about the head, but I can’t tell specifically where or from what.”
Yet in todays reports we see that there was no sign of physical trauma and also no suicide note.
A pistol was also found at the scene, but it had not been fired, and there was no sign of physical trauma to the body, police reported Friday.
McDuell did not know whether a suicide note was found.
All wait for the medical examiners report that is due out at the earliest next Monday.
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Texas EquuSearch Locates Body of Missing Chiropractor, Dr. Melinda Superville
December 14th, 2005 at 02:30am
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Found Deceased, Melinda Superville, Missing, Missing Adult |
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A body was found in an abandoned home of what are believed to be of missing chiropractor, Dr. Melinda Superville. She had been missing for a week and was 
found on Friday by volunteer searchers of Texas Equusearch.
Texas EquuSearch said volunteers found the body believed to be Dr. Melinda Superville in an abandoned home in the 2100 block of Antoine, about 100 yards north of her office, Friday afternoon.
The body matched Superville’s description.
Houston police were sent to the scene to investigate
Video
Melinda Superville, 43, was last seen Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. leaving the chiropractic office she shares with her husband, Dr. Thomas Superville. According to Houston police, “The body is in a back bedroom laying on the floor”. There is a wound to the body about the head, but I can’t tell specifically where or from what.”
A $10,000 reward was offered in the case. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
From Texas Equusearch
Friday, December 09, 2005 – Texas Equusearch located remains that appear to be Melinda Superville at 1:30 PM today. We will post the funeral information as soon as it becomes available. Please keep this family in your prayers.
Body found near where doctor disappeared
“I’m glad that we found her because we needed the closure for her family,” said family friend Susan Haass. “I can’t describe how I feel about her being found like this. It’s worst case scenario. We’ve probably all had a feeling because it’s been a week.”
On Friday, her brother refused to talk to reporters and her husband did not come to the scene. At the moment, police aren’t confirming the body is that of Dr. Superville, although they say it appears to be her.
Related Stories:
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Authorities Treating Doctor’s Disappearance As Homicide
Police Search For Missing Doctor
December 9th, 2005 at 07:41pm
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