Estranged Husband Kills Wife as She Arrived to Pick Up Their Children for School

A Texas father is behind bars after police say he killed his estranged wife when she arrived at his apartment to pick up their two young children for school.

Jake O’Brien Bigoni, 37, is charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the death of his estranged wife, 34-year-old Eliana Alexandra Bigoni.

The disturbing case unfolded Aug. 12 in Plano as Eliana’s family and friends became increasingly worried when they could not reach her.

According to an arrest affidavit, Eliana had gone to Jake’s apartment that morning to pick up their children before school.

The visit was supposed to take only 10 to 15 minutes.

Instead, Eliana suddenly stopped answering her phone.

A witness who had access to Eliana’s phone location reportedly saw that the device was still at the apartment complex after she failed to show up for an 8:30 a.m. breakfast meeting.

Police arrived at The Parker Apartments shortly before 10:30 a.m. and questioned Jake about his missing wife.

He allegedly told officers that Eliana had been there earlier but claimed he did not know where she had gone.

Jake reportedly said the couple was in the middle of a divorce and that Eliana had stopped by to pick up one of their children, but the child was not feeling well.

As officers spoke with him, they noticed what appeared to be a large wet spot on his shirt, according to the affidavit.

When police returned to his door minutes later, they asked whether Eliana’s car was at the apartment.

Officers then spotted a white Hyundai Genesis inside the garage.

Jake allegedly said he had been cleaning the house when asked about the wet spot on his shirt.

Then investigators received a chilling update.

One note reportedly said someone may have been seriously harmed or killed. Another stated that Jake’s son had said his mother was dead.

Police then spoke with Jake’s mother, who allegedly told officers her son had called her around 10:15 a.m.

According to the affidavit, Jake told her, “I have something to tell you. She’s dead.”

He allegedly added, “We got in a fight and she’s dead.”

Officers returned to the apartment for a third time and detained Jake.

When asked where his wife was, he allegedly claimed he had no idea.

Police also noticed that the wet mark on his shirt had dried into what appeared to be a reddish-brown stain.

Fearing Eliana could be inside and in desperate need of medical attention, officers entered the apartment.

What they allegedly found was horrifying.

Police say Eliana was discovered inside the trunk of the Hyundai Genesis parked in the garage.

She was unresponsive, not breathing and positioned unnaturally, according to the affidavit.

Authorities said she had suffered severe injuries to her face and head, while her clothing was damaged and covered in what appeared to be blood.

Investigators also reported finding a large amount of blood and blood spatter inside the apartment.

The children were removed from the home.

Jake was initially arrested on an abuse of a corpse charge before authorities later added the first-degree murder charge.

He remains jailed without bond at the Collin County Jail.