Harrowing update after boy, 7, was found dead in washing machine as autopsy revealed his horrific ‘previous injuries’

An autopsy has revealed previous injuries sustained by a seven-year-old boy before he was found dead in a washing machine.

Troy Khoeler’s body was found by police in a top-loading washing machine after he was reported missing in July.

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Months later, Troy’s parents were arrested in connection with his death.

Jemaine Thomas, 42, has been charged with capital murder and his wife Tiffany Thomas, 35, has been charged with causing injury to a child by omission, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

The couple were the boy’s adoptive parents, according to KTRK.

They initially reported Troy missing on July 28.

But police discovered the boy’s body in the washing machine later that morning, fully clothed.

A coroner’s report found Troy suffered new and previous injuries, the sheriff said.

He was beaten, suffocated and possibly drowned.

It was learned in court that the boy was found with blood on his nose, a bump on his head and bruises on his legs.

Blood was also found in the washing machine and door frame.

“His death was ruled a manslaughter because of murderous violence,” officials told the court on Wednesday.

“The autopsy revealed that the applicant had suffered from asphyxiation and may have drowned.

“The complainant suffered both distant and recent blunt force trauma indicative of inflicted trauma.”

Investigators examined text messages between the parents and determined that the murder may have resulted from the boy stealing the family’s snacks.

KPRC-TV cited court documents showing the boy ate some of Tiffany’s oatmeal cream cakes.

He was allegedly told he would put in an oven until he confessed.

The text messages also reportedly revealed that Jemaine was upset when he learned Troy had eaten his donut sticks, saying: “I have to get those (locks). In the end I will kill him.”

THE FIRST SEARCH

The parents told investigators that Troy went missing around 4 a.m. on July 28 and reported it around 5:20 a.m.

After searching the neighborhood, the police decided to search the house where they found Troy more thoroughly.

Police said he was clothed but would not say if there was water in the machine or if the lid was closed.

According to the police, the parents were presented for questioning as part of the standard procedure.

HCSO Lieutenant Robert Minchew told KHOU11 at the time: “Whether he was killed by the washing machine or killed and put in, we’re so far from that I can’t comment.”

Minchew also mentioned that Troy’s mother was in work uniform when the police arrived.

It’s unclear if she got home from work when she realized her son was missing or if she was getting ready for work.

Troy was previously a foster child and was adopted by the couple in 2019.

There were no other siblings living in the house.

In court Wednesday, Jemaine’s bail was set at $2 million, while Tiffany’s was set at $150,000.