Suspect returned to Texas

A 24-year-old Pearland man who fled Texas in 2020 after being connected to a fatal League City stabbing on Sunday was transferred back to Galveston County following his October out-of-state arrest, according to League City police.

Christian HickmanStaudt — arrested on Oct. 27 in Hennepin County, Minn. — was transferred to the Galveston County Jail and is charged with the 2020 slaying of Donald Eugene Heard, 55. Hickman-Staudt remains in custody Tuesday ev on $300,000 bond.

The initial incident happened on July 30, 2020, in the 100 block of Briarwood Court where authorities said they were called by Heard’s mother after she found him at his residence. LCPD investigators said Heard had been stabbed in the neck and was dead for several days before his body was discovered.

Authorities added Hickman-Staudt was identified as someone who had a relationship with Heard and had stayed at the Briarwood Court residence during the days prior to Heard being found dead.

Hickman-Staudt, according to police, called his mother, 49-year-old Frances Hickman, on July 23, 2020, to pick him up from the residence after telling her he had gotten in a fight with Heard. Afterward, authorities stated, Hickman-Staudt fled to Minnesota and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Frances Hickman was arrested on Oct. 14, 2020, and charged with tampering with evidence. According to court records, her jury trial in the case is expected to begin on Jan. 10.

In 2019, HickmanStaudt was convicted of felony criminal damage ($500-$50,000) after a 2017 incident in New Orleans where he damaged a screen in a New Orleans police vehicle.