Dad jailed for 50 years after boy, 7, found dead inside washing machine

A dad has been jailed for 50 years after his seven-year-old adopted son was found dead inside a washing machine.

Jermaine Thomas, of Spring, in Texas, was convicted of Troy Koehler'smurder three years after his death in 2022. Troy had been reported missing on July 28, 2022, with Thomas claiming he came home late to find the front door of the house open and his son missing.

Officers soon found Troy him inside a washing machine in the garage. The body had been stuffed inside the top-loading machine some hours after Thomas claimed Troy had disappeared in the middle of the night. It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body.

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Investigators later revealed Troy was abused before his death. An autopsy found Troy had several injuries, both old and new, with evidence of blunt-force trauma, possible drowning and asphyxiation, local outlet KPRC said.

Prosecutors said Troy's adoptive parents were furious over missing snack items such as oatmeal cream pies and donut sticks and used that as justification for their abuse. His adoptive mum Tiffany Tomas allegedly threatened to shove him in the oven until he confessed to eating the snacks.

Court documents later revealed a sickening message Thomas sent to his wife. The message said: "I need to get the [locks]. I'm going to end up [killing] him."

At the sentencing, Troy's year one teacher Sheryl Reed, described him as a bright, book-loving boy, who dreamed of being a leader. She said: "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. That was always Troy. He loved reading. If he finished early, he'd head straight to our class library."

She revealed how Troy would go to the library and shared stories with his classmates. She continued: "Then he'd go right back to share those stories with classmates...always lifting others up with the joy he carried.

"But Troy wasn't just leading his classmates-he led me, too. He led me to become a better teacher, a better mentor, and a better person. His energy, his smile, and his love for learning reminded me daily why I chose this path."

It remains unclear whether Troy's mum is facing charges.