Mesquite ISD

John Horn High School

Class of 2014

Meet Madelyn DeChant who graduated Class of 2014 from Horn High School. DeChant is currently a Forensic Death Investigator for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science. She earned her degree from Texas Tech University and now as a professional, she hopes to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams within forensics. 

Focused on Forensics

After graduating from Horn High School in 2014, DeChant enrolled in Texas Tech University to pursue her career in forensic science. DeChant spent most of her winter and summer breaks working as an intern for UT Southwestern’s Will Body Program. “I absolutely loved my time in Lubbock but was so ready to move back to the big city,” she said. Once she graduated from Texas Tech, she returned to Dallas and accepted a position with UT Southwestern. In 2019 she moved to Houston and was hired as a Forensic Death Investigator for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science.

“I have loved every single minute of this career,” she says “I had so many people tell me I wouldn’t make it this far, there wasn’t a place for women in forensics, or that my education and lack of experience right out of college wouldn’t be good enough.” 

Despite the challenges she faced, DeChant is now excelling in her career for the largest county in the state of Texas and the third-largest county in the United States. “There will ALWAYS be someone willing to give you a chance,” she says. 

Favorite High School Memory

DeChant says her favorite high school memory was cheering on the Jags with her friends on Friday night football games.

Advice to Current Students

“Just keep pushing! Even when life and your classes seem too hard, you can get through it and the end is so worth it.”