The Armstrong Family Murders: What Really Happened?

0:01 July 2016 The Armstrong family's glamorous facade was shattered when a savage killer ruthlessly took the lives of Dawn and Antonio Armstrong, a picture perfect couple beloved by their community. The shocking murder sent shockwaves through their tight knit neighborhood, leaving friends and neighbors in disbelief. The ensuing investigation proved to be an uphill battle from the start, With no signs of forced entry or struggle at the crime scene, detectives were left baffled as to how the perpetrator could have gained access to the Armstrong's home. As law enforcement struggled to find leads, the community was left grappling with the unfathomable loss of two cherished members. The couple's children who witnessed the heinous act were now orphaned and scarred for life. This senseless violence not only devastated their immediate family but also deeply affected those who knew them. As investigators delved into the timeline of events surrounding the murder, they found themselves entangled in a web of complex relationships and motives that only added to the confusion.

1:10 The seemingly perfect marriage between Dawn and Antonio was nothing more than a facade with hidden betrayals and secrets coming to light. With little physical evidence to work with, detectives had to rely on good old fashioned detective work to uncover the truth. In the aftermath of this horrific tragedy, the community rallied together to make sense of what had happened and support the grieving family. But one question loomed over everyone's minds. Who would commit such a heinous crime and why? Don and Antonio Armstrong were not just victims, they were pillars of their community, respected and admired by all. Antonio, a former NFL player, dedicated his life to giving back and making a positive impact on those in need. Dawn, a devoted wife and mother, provided unwavering love and support to her family.

2:06 However, as we delve deeper into their lives, it becomes clear that their picture perfect image was nothing more than a well crafted facade, hiding dark secrets and lies that ultimately led to their tragic end. As tensions in their marriage reached a breaking point, Antonio's infidelities and underlying conflicts proved to be the catalyst for this calculated and ruthless crime. The mysterious knight cloaked the town, casting doubt on the once beloved Armstrong family. Rumors of betrayal and a heinous crime permeated the air. The meticulous investigation by law enforcement revealed an unexpected culprit, their own 16 year old son, Aja.

2:52 Wave of shock and disbelief washed over the community as they struggled to come to terms with how a privileged boy could commit such a brutal act. As the dust settled, all that remained were shattered pieces of trust and innocence. The Armstrong tragedy was more than just a murder. It exposed the consequences of greed, ambition, and deceit in even the most seemingly perfect lives. While justice may have been served, the wounds from this horrific event will never fully heal. It serves as a haunting reminder that darkness can lurk within us all, waiting to be unleashed with devastating consequences.

3:35 Welcome to No Tears for Black Girls. Described as the quintessential example of a traditional American family, Antonio and Don Armstrong were the power couple at the helm in 2016. Both aged 42, Antonio was a native Texan with roots in Houston. His alma mater was Texas A&M where he honed his skills on the football field, earning a full scholarship before moving on to the NFL as a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins in the mid 1990s. Unfortunately, ankle injuries cut his career short, but he found success in playing professionally for six years in Canada's CFL. Alongside his wife Don, they Co owned and operated First Class Training, a prestigious gym located in Bel Air. Not only did Antonio XLS a personal trainer, but he also used his platform as a motivational speaker and advocate for general health and fitness. Theirs was considered an idyllic union by all accounts, with three children to complete their picture perfect family. The eldest, Josh, was Don's son from a previous relationship and by 2016 he had become a college student. He had formed a close bond with Antonio and cherished his role as an older brother to 16 year old AJ and 12 year old Kira. AJ followed in his father's footsteps as a standout football player and was highly regarded among his peers. Together with their sister, they resided happily under one roof with their devoted parents.

5:08 On the night of July 28th, 2016, the Armstrong family retired for bed around 10:00 PM after Kara had dutifully set the home security system. Don and Antonio slept in the master bedroom on the 2nd floor, while Cara's room was down the hallway. Meanwhile, AJ made use of the loft on the 3rd floor, which he shared with Josh until recently when Josh moved into his own apartment nearby. For hours the house remained silent until 16 year old AJ alerted emergency services at 1:40 AM that he had heard gunshots in the house. Upon realizing the door to his parents bedroom was slightly ajar, a rarity as they always kept it locked, he refrained from entering and calmly answered the dispatcher's questions about medical assistance. During the call, AJ expressed confusion as to how anyone could have entered the secure home.

6:04 Towards the end of the 16 minute call, AJ deactivated the security system and met law enforcement outside with Kara by his side. Officers quickly entered the house, their footsteps echoing through the empty rooms. A thorough search confirmed that only Don and Antonio remained inside, both in critical condition. Emergency medical teams rushed them out for urgent care, Antonio Senior barely clinging to life while his wife Dawn had already succumbed to her injuries. The couple had been attacked in their sleep, each shot with precision. The killer had left behind a chilling message on a notepad in the kitchen, taunting the police with cryptic writing. The murder weapon, Antonio Senior's own handgun, was found next to him on the bed where he lay wounded. It seemed that the initial shots had awoken him, leading to another fatal shot from the intruder. Despite an obvious suspect and evidence that pointed to someone inside the home, 2 family members were able to leave unharmed, 12 year old Kira and 16 year old AJ, who had called 911 himself.

7:16 But when questioned by police, AJ appeared emotionless and gave vague answers about his relationship with his parents. As they gathered more evidence and pieced together the events of that night, it seemed likely that AJ was responsible for the gruesome attack on his family. But in the midst of all this chaos and tragedy, AJ calmly made a call to his brother, Josh, perhaps seeking an ally in this twisted situation. He delivered the tragic news to his brother that their parents had been gunned down. Within moments, Josh appeared at the house, living just down the street as he does. He lived in luxurious apartments conveniently located right around the corner from his family's residence on Maple Ridge. Their relationship was strong, like Blood Brothers sharing a deep bond with one another and with their father. Despite any possible tensions between them and their mother, they too were close in their own way. The police questioned AJ at the crime scene while investigators meticulously combed through for evidence. Surprisingly, no usable fingerprints were found anywhere in the house, including on the murder weapon or the note left in the kitchen, while shell casings were discovered in both the master bedroom and AJ's room. Suspicions began to shift towards him when it was revealed that he had recently shown off his father's gun to a friend and fired it.

8:42 Police then made a disturbing discovery. Bullet holes in a pillow and blanket inside a JS closet. This LED them to believe that he may have been conducting test runs of the shooting prior to carrying out the actual act. As Antonio Senior's life hung in the balance at the hospital. His son was charged with two counts of capital murder and released on bail. However, despite seemingly damning evidence against him, there were discrepancies and doubts regarding a JS involvement in his parents deaths. He showed no signs of having handled a gun or being covered in blood or gunpowder residue. And as investigators dug deeper, even more puzzling pieces of evidence emerged. A freshly burnt area of carpet with a faint smell of gasoline on the 2nd floor landing where access to escape would be blocked and no trace of his parents blood on him or his belongings.

9:37 It seemed that this case may not be as clear cut as it first appeared. The house was completely void of any bloodied garments. The 16 year old had clearly taken the necessary steps to cover his tracks, leaving no trace of cleaning supplies in any sinks or drains. However, DNA evidence was found on the notepad and gun belonging to the Armstrong family but unable to be linked to a specific individual. This trend continued throughout the rest of the house as DNA samples taken from other areas could not be isolated to a single person. Despite initially lying to police about playing with his father's gun, AJ stood by his story that an unknown intruder had entered the house and he had seen them fleeing while wearing a mask. If convicted, AJ would face a life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 40 years.

10:32 However, his family remained loyal and supportive as his defense team prepared for trial. Before the case went to jury, Maxine Adams, a close friend of the Armstrong family, came forward with a different theory about the crime. According to Maxine, Antonio Senior had been involved in a prostitution ring and even received death threats due to their shady connections. A JS defense argued that this information was withheld by the state and pushed for dismissal of all charges against him. In her interview with police, Maxine provided further evidence supporting her claims, shocking and potentially exonerating the Armstrong family from involvement in the murders. However, these rumors and suspicious events following the killings were ultimately deemed unsubstantiated by the Houston Police Department.

11:26 Despite efforts by a JS attorney, Rick De Toto, to have the case dismissed due to lack of evidence, the motion failed. As a result, 19 year old AJ went to trial in spring 2019. In a surprising turn of events, the defense presented yet another suspect, Josh Armstrong, a JS older half brother who suffered from schizophrenia and had reported violent thoughts in the years following the murders. Jurors also heard from Hannah Pilon, Josh's ex-girlfriend, who was living with him at the time of the murders. She had been sleeping when the shots rang out. Josh was home when she woke, but she couldn't confirm his whereabouts for the hours prior.

12:10 She assumed he had been lying next to her in bed. Hannah testified that she woke up when Josh received a call from AJ. He told her there was someone in his parents house and then he grabbed a shotgun and ran out the door. Hannah also testified that Josh's mental state deteriorated after his parents death. He heard voices and became paranoid, depressed, and obsessed with the murders. Eventually, he checked himself into a psychiatric hospital for treatment. Cara Armstrong, now a teenage witness, took the stand to speak about her brother and their family dynamic. She told the jury that Josh had always felt like the black sheep of the family, believing that his parents favored his siblings over him. She also noted that his demeanor drastically changed after returning from college.

13:02 Kara also addressed the key piece of evidence against AJ, the security system. According to her testimony, the system was unreliable and often malfunctioned. The sensors didn't always work properly, specifically the ones on the doors. She explained this to investigators on the night of her parents murder. The defense argued that the alarm system reports showing no activity in the home for hours prior to law enforcement arriving were inaccurate and should not be used as evidence. Meanwhile, the motive behind a JS alleged involvement in the murders remained unclear. The prosecution attempted to show tension between AJ and his parents by presenting text messages exchanged between them. These messages revealed Don and Antonio seniors frustration with AJ, smoking habits, slipping grades, and disregard for their rules.

13:57 In one message, Don wrote to her husband about a JS lying behavior, saying she was beyond disappointed. 8 weeks before the murders, AJ texted his parents, acknowledging his mistakes and expressing a desire for a major life change. His mother responded, expressing her disappointment in his behavior and their efforts to provide him with the best education and material possessions. She questioned why he continued to lie and not work hard in school. Throughout the trial, moments of tension between the Armstrong family and their son, AJ were evident. There were also instances of praise from his parents for his actions.

14:41 His lawyers argued that his messaging history was that of a typical teenager, not a homicidal 1. The jury heard over 39 hours of testimony, including emotional moments such as a JS football coach breaking down on the stand while discussing his relationship with the Armstrongs. Despite this, AJ did not testify in his own defense. After over 19 hours of deliberation, the jury declared themselves deadlocked and a mistrial was declared. The state announced their intention to retry AJ in 2022 due to pandemic delays. By then, he had become a father himself and his girlfriend Kate was still standing by him. Changes in the second trial included the exclusion of security footage from the night of the murders and the presentation of medical records from Josh Armstrong, which suggested that he may have witnessed and even confessed to the murders due to his mental illness. The timeline of events and phone records played a major role in both trials, with disputed reports from the House's security system causing much debate about the sequence of events that took place on that tragic night in July 2016. Between the time of the shooting and the 911 call placed at 1:40 AM, both Don and Antonio Junior were found with gunshot wounds from Antonio's own gun.

16:05 Suspiciously, this was the only period in which AJ wasn't active on his cell phone all day. It is believed that during this time, at 1:25 AM, the living room motion sensor was triggered, most likely when the note and gun were left in the kitchen. The prosecution's theory was that AJ spent this time cleaning up the crime scene and himself. At 1:57 AM, he deactivated the security system to allow law enforcement inside, and two minutes later the system showed that the kitchen door had been opened, coinciding with when responding officers checked the property. The prosecution brought in Tim Rader, a security expert from ADT who faced tough questioning from Rick de Toto.

16:53 The defense uncovered 77 errors in the security report for just one month in July 2016 and over 120 failures in detecting movements between June and July of that year, mainly related to external doors opening and closing. They also pointed out that Cara and others had mentioned problems with the garage door not fully closing, but it could still be armed using a key fob. Prosecutor John Jordan argued that AJ made a mistake, evidenced by an audio clip from the 911 call where he mentions ringing in his ears. The state also highlighted what they deemed as a far fetched story concocted by AJ. Waiting five hours before telling HPD about seeing a masked intruder in the house on the 16 minute call to 911, only mentioning that his parents bedroom door was slightly open. It seemed like a fabricated movie plot. All signs pointed towards AJ as the killer until an unlikely twist was revealed.

17:55 According to the prosecution, it was someone else who did it. During the first mistrial in 2019, the jury was split eight to four, with eight believing AJ was guilty and four thinking he was innocent. In November 2022, another mistrial occurred, but this time the numbers were reversed, favoring the defense. Some jurors spoke anonymously to the media afterwards about how challenging it was to deliberate in the jury room. The state intends to try AJ Armstrong for a third time, with jury selection set for February 24th, 2023 and testimony starting in March. The judge filed an order to change the location of the trial due to the intense scrutiny the case has received in Harris County, which could impact finding an impartial jury.

18:44 It's unclear how these pretrial proceedings will affect the timeline, but one thing remains certain. Since July 2016, according to the state of Texas, Antonio Armstrong Junior is responsible for murdering his parents. Eight years later, they still have yet to prove it. This is the story of Antonio Armstrong Junior and the tragic deaths of his parents, Don and Antonio Senior. Thank you for tuning in to No Tears for Black Girls. This series is skillfully crafted by acclaimed writer and producer Jon Reedberg with the guidance of unapologetic host Samantha Paul. Catch new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday on all major podcast platforms.

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