San Antonio, Texas – A Texas attorney, Karen Kay Hogan, has pleaded guilty to felony charges after admitting to stealing more than $540,000 from six children whose parents died in a murder-suicide in Kendall County, Texas.
Hogan’s Crimes and Plea
Karen Hogan, a lawyer from San Antonio, entered her guilty pleas in a Kendall County courtroom to charges related to the misapplication of fiduciary property (over $300,000) and exploitation of children and a disabled person. The case involves the money held in the estates of Jason and Emily Evans, who were found dead from gunshot wounds on December 31, 2021.
The couple’s six children became the rightful heirs to their parents’ estate, insurance proceeds, and property following the deaths. However, Hogan, who was appointed to manage the Evans’ estates, took advantage of her position and stole a significant amount of money from the children’s inheritance.
The Murder-Suicide and Hogan’s Role
Jason and Emily Evans were found dead at their home in Kendall County after the sheriff’s deputies responded to a call. Investigators concluded that Jason killed Emily before dying by suicide. At the time of the incident, the couple’s six children, ranging from early childhood to mid-teens, were inside the house.
Hogan was appointed to manage the estate of the Evans family, first temporarily and then as a dependent administrator by court order. As administrator, she was responsible for setting up bank accounts to hold the children’s inheritance. However, Hogan added herself as a joint owner on those accounts and started transferring large amounts of money without court approval.
Hogan’s Theft and Investigation
Court documents state that Hogan transferred $541,550 from the estate accounts into her own law firm’s business account over several months. In one example, she is accused of transferring $40,000 in August 2023, which was later wired to untraced destinations.
Hogan had no legal right to the children’s money, as she was not a beneficiary of the estate. The criminal filings revealed the scale of her theft and manipulation of estate funds.
Hogan’s Legal Consequences
Hogan has already surrendered her license to practice law following the allegations. Under Texas law, she faces a possible sentence of probation or a prison term of up to 20 years. The children, including one with a developmental disability, remain the legal owners of any funds that can be recovered through restitution or related civil proceedings.
Hogan’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
