From the Plains to the Courtroom: Loretta Seibel’s Granddaughter, Amy Wren, Sworn in as Angelina County District Attorney

A familiar name in southeastern Colorado has reason to celebrate a big milestone in East Texas. On Monday, August 18, Amy Wren—granddaughter of longtime Eads resident Loretta Seibel—was sworn in as the new district attorney of Angelina County, Texas, following the resignation of Layne Thompson.

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Wren to the post, which oversees the 159th Judicial District, after Thompson stepped down citing personal struggles with depression. Wren will serve through December 31, 2026, or until a successor is elected and qualified.

For Wren, the appointment represents the culmination of years of experience and service in the courtroom. She previously served as the criminal chief assistant district attorney in Nacogdoches County, where she became known for her record of prosecuting violent crimes and protecting some of society’s most vulnerable.

“Amy obtained numerous life and maximum sentences for violent offenders during her time in the Nacogdoches District Attorney’s Office,” her colleagues there noted in a public statement. “She is an expert in the prosecution of cases involving children, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She has been recognized for that work throughout our community and continues to train others in these fields.”

Her résumé is as impressive as it is diverse. Wren is licensed with the State Bar of Texas, the Colorado Bar, and even the United States Patent and Trademark Office Bar. She serves on the board of Harold’s House – East Texas Alliance for Children and is a member of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association’s Domestic Violence Training Development Committee.

Her academic foundation was built in Colorado, where she earned dual degrees in biology and sociology from Colorado State University before graduating with her law degree from Baylor University.

But behind the professional accolades is a family story that ties Wren back to Kiowa County. Her grandmother, Loretta Seibel, still a well-known face in Eads, traveled to Lufkin, Texas, for her granddaughter’s swearing-in.

“It was such an honor to see Amy take this step,” Seibel said. “She’s worked so hard to get here, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. To see her serving her community in such an important way means the world to me.”

Wren’s mother, who grew up in Eads, instilled in her the values of persistence and service that now guide her career in law. Those who know the family say Amy’s achievement reflects the small-town roots and strong family support that often serve as the foundation for success far beyond the borders of the High Plains.

For the people of Angelina County, Wren’s appointment promises steady leadership in the district attorney’s office. For the Seibel family—and for Kiowa County—it’s a reminder that even as children and grandchildren scatter across the country, their roots remain firmly planted in the prairie soil.