Former San Angelo ISD Employee Killed in RV Fire; Man Charged With Arson

Dallas police announced the arrest on November 7, nearly three weeks after firefighters responded at 6:21 a.m. to heavy flames engulfing an RV parked beside a home in the 10300 block of Eastwood Drive. Crews extinguished the blaze and discovered McBride’s body inside. Two residents of the adjacent home escaped unharmed.

Investigators ruled the fire a homicide on October 22 after reviewing surveillance video showing a man exiting a car with an object in his hand and approaching the RV moments before the flames erupted.

The vehicle seen in the footage was traced to a woman from Apple Valley, Minnesota, according to court records reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune. Nine days after the fire, police executed a search warrant at the woman’s home, seizing documents and a cell phone in a Dallas Cowboys case containing information linking her to Richardson.

Court filings show the woman had rented the vehicle from Hertz at the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport from October 3 to 22. GPS data indicated the car was driven nearly 1,000 miles to the East Dallas neighborhood where the fire happened and returned to Apple Valley about 14 hours after the fire broke out.

Neighbors told investigators an armed robbery had occurred at the home where the RV was parked just one day before the fire. Police have not released information on a possible motive or said whether the woman will face charges.

McBride was remembered in her obituary for her “generous heart and joyful spirit.” She worked for many years in food service with San Angelo ISD, retiring in 2021. Her obituary described her as someone “always ready to lend a hand, share a home-cooked meal, or brighten someone’s day.”

"For many years, Leslie proudly served the children of San Angelo through her work in food service," the obituary stated. "Her dedication, warmth, and genuine care for others even earned her the honor of Employee of the Year and the admiration of countless students and coworkers. Leslie’s greatest pride came from her two children and the exceptional people they became. Though Leslie may no longer be with us, her love, laughter, and gentle spirit remain in the hearts of all who knew her. As Kenny Chesney sings, she may be gone, but she’s never really gone."