A shocking workplace tragedy in Texas has left a family searching for answers after a missing man was found dead — and his co-worker is now accused of killing him.
Gregory D. Lewis, 34, is behind bars facing a capital murder charge in connection to the death of 31-year-old Thomas King, a fellow employee at Taco Casa in Fort Worth. Lewis is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and a parole violation, according to Tarrant County jail records.
King was last seen on April 13, still wearing his work uniform after finishing his shift at the Taco Casa location on Bridgewood Drive. When he didn’t return home, his family reported him missing the following day.
The investigation quickly took a turn.
According to police, King’s vehicle was tracked to a Quality Inn off Interstate 20 in nearby Arlington. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Lewis arriving at the hotel in King’s car shortly after the victim got off work. Detectives later confirmed the two men worked together at the restaurant.
After homicide investigators stepped in, Lewis was initially arrested on unrelated charges. But during questioning, police say he confessed to the killing.
“We were able to interview this individual, and the individual did claim and confess to actually murdering our missing person,” Fort Worth Police Officer Buddy Calzada said.
On Friday, authorities made a grim discovery — King’s body was found in an open field on the east side of Fort Worth, in a wooded area behind a business complex.
Investigators say Lewis told them King had given him a ride after work that night, and the two drove to the nearby complex where the killing ultimately took place.
“The way this unfolded is very sad and very tragic,” Calzada said. “It’s hardest for the family.”
And for King’s loved ones, the loss is devastating.
He was the oldest of four siblings and a father of two, raising his children with his high school sweetheart. Family members describe him as kind, hardworking, and trusting — someone who showed up every day for the people he loved.
“He was the sweetest person,” his sister said.
A GoFundMe created to support his family paints a heartbreaking picture, noting that King lived with a mental disability but remained dedicated to providing for his children.
“He had a kind heart, trusted people, and did his best to be present for his kids,” the fundraiser reads. “He did not deserve what happened to him.”
His family now believes he may have been targeted because of that vulnerability. They say he had a hearing and speech impairment and often kept to himself — but may have been bullied at work.
“I feel like they felt like he was an easy target,” his sister said.
The GoFundMe also claims the suspect had previously bullied King and took advantage of his kind nature, though police have not confirmed those details.
Now, the family is left with one overwhelming question: why?
“We want to know why they did this to him,” another sibling said. “We want answers.”
In a statement, Taco Casa said it was saddened by the tragedy involving two of its employees, noting that the incident happened off company property and outside of work hours. The company also said it was not aware of any prior conflict between the two men.
“At this time, we are not aware of any prior issues,” the statement read, calling the situation “shocking and profoundly distressing.”
Black scum!!! How this trash even can afford a weapon, but cant afford anything else is the question. Maybe stop hiring felons?