Harris County investigators have ruled that a body found near Tomball Jan. 2 was the victim of a  homicide.

The body of Brooks Dietrich Bierwirth, 33, of Spring, was found just north of FM 2920 near Dowdell Rd., by a group of Boy Scouts looking for a place to play paintball.

Photo: Investigators work to process the scene where a body was found near Tomball Jan. 2. The body was identified as Brooks Dietrich Bierwirth, of Spring. Officials have ruled the death a homicide.

“The adult who was supervising them saw what he thought was a mannequin in the ditch,” Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Gilliland said. “He pulled over and told the kids to stay in the car, got out and found the body.”

The scout leader then called 911.

Homicide detectives arrived on scene just before 11 a.m. to find Bierwirth in a ditch along the road wearing only one sock. Investigators and members of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) combed the area and processed the scene for nearly five hours, before releasing the body for an autopsy.

Nearby residents said they told investigators that a suspicious vehicle was spotted near the scene overnight, but investigators would not confirm.

“It was ruled as homicidal violence with blunt head and neck trauma,” HCIFS Public Information Officer Matt Doyle said.

Bierwirth had a criminal history with drugs and alcohol. He was arrested and convicted of Driving While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana in 2010, after the Tomball Police Department pulled him over for a traffic violation. He received probation in that case, but it was revoked in March 2011, after Bierwirth plead guilty to possessing hydrocodone and received a total of 30 days in the Harris County Jail.

Montgomery County records show Bierwirth was convicted in a small string of car burglaries in 1995, when he was 17, as well as evading arrest.

Investigators would not say if they suspect his prior drug history played a role in his death.

HCSO is asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or the homicide division at 713-967-5810.

Photo by Caleb Harris

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