Conroe police were investigating a murder Saturday after a man told them he “thought he had killed his girlfriend several days ago.”

Jackie Dale Watkins, 27, directed officers to an abandoned restaurant in the 1100 block of West Dallas Street that’s been out of business for over a year.

Officers discovered a deceased woman, later identified as Peggy Sue Cruise, 48, at the scene.

Investigators say Watkins and Cruise were in a relationship, and that both were homeless.  They apparently moved frequently from location to location, sharing food and shelter.

The pair had been using the front porch of the abandoned restaurant as their shelter at the time of the murder.

The porch is hidden from view of Dallas Street by hedges and a landscaped area.

Watkins told police that about a week ago, he and Cruise had a fight.  It allegedly escalated to the point that Watkins smothered her to death.

An autopsy was ordered on Cruise’s body.

Watkins was arrested and charged with first degree murder.  He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail.