Adopted Boy Murdered Inside A Washing Machine After Eating Pie

Life for little Troy Koehler had been marked by instability from the very beginning, having entered the care system at a young age.

For a time, it seemed as though his fortunes had changed when he was adopted by a married couple, Jermaine Thomas and his wife, Tiffany Thomas. The adoption was meant to offer Troy the permanence, safety, and love every child deserves — a fresh start and a place to finally call home.

Over the years, Troy blossomed into a bright and gentle little boy. By 2022, at just seven years old, he was cherished by his classmates and deeply adored by his teacher, Sheryl Reed, who saw first-hand his kind and curious nature.

Troy was a caring child with a love of reading that set him apart. Whenever he finished his schoolwork, he would eagerly hurry to the classroom library, excited to choose a new book to dive into — his enthusiasm for stories as boundless as his imagination.

Yet behind Troy’s infectious smile lay a hidden suffering. While he was safe and valued at school, the environment he returned to each day was far darker. Away from watchful eyes, he was being abused by his adoptive parents — a painful reality that may explain why the classroom felt like a refuge, a place where he was encouraged, protected, and free to be a child. It was where he was allowed to dream about the future he deserved.

Tragically, he would never have the chance to grow into the young man he was becoming.

On the morning of 28th July 2022, a call was placed to local police by Troy’s adoptive parents, reporting him missing. Jermaine claimed that just before midnight the previous evening, he had returned home from work to find the front door unlocked — and Troy nowhere to be found.

Officers were quickly dispatched to the family home in Spring, Texas, to begin interviews and assess the situation. What initially appeared to be a missing child case would soon take a devastating turn.

As is standard procedure in missing child cases, officers conducted a thorough search of the home and surrounding property. Every room was carefully checked in the hope of finding Troy safe.

Tragically, the search did locate him — but not in the way anyone had hoped.

Inside the garage, officers made a devastating discovery. Troy’s lifeless body was found in a washing machine. Initial claims suggested that he may have climbed inside and accidentally become trapped. However, that explanation quickly came into question.

An autopsy later revealed troubling findings: Troy had sustained multiple injuries, some recent and others older, indicating a pattern that raised serious concerns. The discovery shifted the investigation from a presumed accident to something far more disturbing, prompting authorities to take a closer look at what had truly happened inside the home.

The Harris County Forensic Office later determined that Troy’s death was a homicide — a conclusion reinforced by incriminating text messages discovered between Jermaine and Tiffany Thomas.

Among the messages were past threats from Tiffany, including one in which she allegedly warned she would put Troy in an oven after discovering he had eaten some of her cream pies.

Yet the most chilling evidence came from texts sent by Jermaine on the very day Troy disappeared. In these messages, he expressed fury after discovering that Troy had supposedly taken some of his donut sticks. One text, in particular, revealed a disturbing level of anger and intent:

Further investigation revealed harrowing details: Troy had suffered from asphyxiation, blunt force trauma, and possible drowning, confirming the brutality of his final moments.

Authorities swiftly arrested Jermaine and Tiffany Thomas, charging them with the murder of Troy — a case that would soon shock the community and draw national attention due to the unimaginable cruelty involved.

On 30th July 2025 — three years after Troy Koehler’s tragic death — the trial of Jermaine and Tiffany Thomas began.

In court, Troy’s teacher, Sheryl Reed, delivered a victim impact statement that moved everyone in the courtroom. Her words captured the profound loss and heartbreak caused by his death, leaving those present visibly shaken. She read:

Jermaine Thomas, now 45, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Tiffany Thomas’ was scheduled for 10th September 2025 - she would receive just 10 years behind bars.

Troy’s teacher, Sheryl Reed, has been profoundly affected by the loss of her young student. She has spoken openly about her plans to establish a foundation in Troy’s name, aiming to support and protect children who suffer the same neglect and abuse that Troy endured. Through her advocacy, she seeks to ensure that his short life is remembered — a powerful reminder that Troy’s life truly mattered.