FRISCO, TX — Lisa Honrud was arrested Monday morning and charged with murdering her husband Frank Weiss, whose body was found near Lake Lewisville in 2002, ending a 24-year cold case investigation that authorities cracked using modern forensic technology and testimony from a key witness.
The arrest of the 55-year-old Waxahachie woman represents a major breakthrough in one of Frisco’s longest-running unsolved homicides. Police obtained an arrest warrant for Honrud through what they described as “advancements in investigative techniques, modern technology, and new information from a key witness.” The case had remained dormant for more than two decades until recent developments allowed detectives to move forward with charges against Weiss’s former wife.
Frisco police arrested Honrud at her home shortly before 8 a.m. Monday with assistance from the Waxahachie Police Department. The victim, Frank Weiss, was a Plano resident whose body was discovered near Lake Lewisville within Frisco city limits in 2002. “We are thankful for our investigators who have put countless hours into this case, as well as the Waxahachie Police Department for their assistance with this arrest,” Police Chief David Shilson said in a statement. “For 24 years, the Weiss family has waited for answers. Today’s arrest is an important step toward justice, and we will continue working until everyone involved is held accountable.” Shilson’s comments suggest investigators believe additional people may have been involved in Weiss’s death.
The breakthrough came through a combination of modern forensic advances and new witness testimony, though police have not disclosed the specific evidence linking Honrud to the crime or details about what the key witness revealed. Sergeant Ryan Thomas with the Frisco Police Department emphasized that cold case investigations continue to benefit from improving technology and techniques. “Wounds, they don’t fully heal. Families don’t get the closure that they need, and law enforcement is just going to continue to get better at what they do,” Thomas said. “For those who you know think they’re off scot-free, you know, I’d just say, look over your shoulder.” The department has not revealed whether Honrud and Weiss were married at the time of his death or had already divorced by 2002. Court records and the specific charges filed against Honrud were not immediately available.
The case represents one of the longest cold case investigations in Frisco’s history, spanning nearly a quarter-century before Monday’s arrest. Frank Weiss was described by his family as a large man, leading relatives to question whether one person could have committed the crime alone. The investigation remained active over the years, with detectives periodically reviewing evidence and following up on leads. Modern forensic technology has allowed law enforcement agencies across Texas to solve numerous cold cases in recent years, often through DNA analysis, digital forensics, and other scientific advances that were not available when crimes were originally investigated. The Frisco Police Department had continued to seek information from the public throughout the investigation, maintaining hope that new witnesses or evidence would eventually emerge.
Honrud was booked on murder charges, though authorities have not specified whether she faces capital murder or other enhanced charges. It was not immediately clear whether she has obtained legal representation or when she might make her first court appearance. The case will now proceed through the Collin County court system, where prosecutors will present evidence gathered over more than two decades of investigation. Police Chief Shilson’s statement suggesting that others may be held accountable indicates the investigation may not be complete with Honrud’s arrest. The district attorney’s office has not yet commented on potential plea negotiations or whether they will seek enhanced penalties given the age of the case.
The arrest brought a mixture of relief and renewed grief to Frank Weiss’s family, who had waited more than two decades for answers. His daughter Carla, who was 22 years old when her father was killed and is now 44, described the moment as bittersweet during an interview Monday afternoon. “Hope is a funny thing. Hope has a way of strangling you, and so, at some point, I have probably accepted that there will never be an answer,” she said. “But acceptance doesn’t kill. I dreamed of there being an answer, but I didn’t expect one.” She expressed gratitude for the long-awaited development while acknowledging the emotional toll of the extended investigation. “24 years is a long time. We are all so appreciative and grateful of this day,” she said. Carla Weiss also told investigators she does not believe Honrud acted alone, citing her father’s physical size as evidence that multiple people would have been needed to overpower him.
The arrest has generated significant community interest, with residents praising the Frisco Police Department’s persistence on social media. “Wow! Impressive! Love to see old cases solved! Great work, FPD!!” one Facebook user commented on the department’s announcement. Others echoed similar sentiments about the importance of solving long-dormant cases. The department continues to seek information from anyone who may have knowledge about the case or related incidents. Tips can be submitted by calling the Frisco Police Department at 972-292-6010 or anonymously through the department’s mobile app or by texting FRISCOPD and the tip to 847411.
