Andreen McDonald Missing: Husband Purchased Gasoline, Burn Pit To Dispose Of Body

Andre McDonald, who was arrested Saturday in connection with his wife Andreen McDonald’s disappearance, purchased a shovel, heavy duty trash bags, gasoline and a portable burn pit in an effort to dispose of her body, Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County, Texas, said Sunday. These items were found in their house during a search by the authorities.

Andre was charged with “tampering with evidence” after he tried to destroy a receipt for the items he purchased to get rid of the body. He was booked into jail Sunday evening after a mental health evaluation.

Andreen was reported missing by her friends Friday after she did not show up at work or gym. The following day, CCTV cameras were installed at the couple's residence. Andreen’s husband Andre, a high-ranking Air Force officer, was first detained Saturday afternoon in connection with her disappearance.

A few hours later, officials followed him after an undercover deputy saw him buying a gun and ammunition. He was in such a hurry that he left the handgun and his identification at the store, taking just the ammunition with him. Fearing that Andre would harm himself, officials took him into custody a second time Saturday evening.

"We did speak to him regarding his mental health. I couldn't go into too much what was discussed there due to privacy issues, but that second detention was for mental health purposes,” Salazar said, My San Antonio reported.

On Sunday, however, the case took a grim turn after investigators found evidence that made them believe that Andreen was killed. Officials also believed the couple’s 6-year-old daughter, who is autistic and mostly nonverbal, may have witnessed her mother’s presumed killing. However, officials were yet to speak to the girl. Andre too didn’t offer to help officials in locating his wife.

"At this point, I think it's safe to say we are considering him a suspect in the disappearance. I think it's safe to say that it's a very real possibility that she could have been harmed physically during some of this,” Salazar said.

Salazar also felt Andre was not taking the investigation seriously and that he seemed to be of "pretty sound mind.”

"He's a highly intelligent person, and I think he knows exactly what he's doing. I think that quite frankly, he probably thinks he's smarter than anybody in law enforcement, but he's behind bars right now,” Salazar said, ABC 12 reported.