Three people have been arrested and accused of a brutal murder in Texas, where they allegedly beat a man to death with a hammer, stuffed his body into a barrel, and filmed themselves using construction equipment to bury it.
Jesus Grijalva Jr., 43, Samuel Uvalle Sr., 47, and Monica Gomez, 41, were all taken into custody last month and charged with the murder of Juan Carlos Hernandez De Leon.
A fourth suspect, Roberto Salas, 35, is still at large.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office reported that on May 13, deputies were alerted to a possible homicide in San Juan, Texas.
A witness informed investigators that Hernandez De Leon, who had been reported missing earlier in the month, was killed at a residence on Morningset Road, about 240 miles south of San Antonio.
The witness further revealed that the body had been moved to another location near Wisconsin Road in Edinburg, Texas.
Initially, investigators identified Grijalva Jr., Uvalle Sr., and Salas as the culprits.
However, witness testimony and cellphone footage confirmed that Gomez also participated in the killing and burial of Hernandez De Leon.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by KVEO, witnesses stated that on May 7, Uvalle Sr. went to Grijalva Jr.’s home and argued with Hernandez De Leon.
The argument escalated into violence.
“Samuel Uvalle (Sr.) started to assault Juan Carlos (Hernandez De Leon) with a hammer,” the affidavit reads.
Roberto Salas and Jesus Grijalva Jr. joined in the attack, also using a hammer.
Gomez was reportedly involved in the fatal beating as well.
The suspects then allegedly placed Hernandez De Leon’s body into a barrel, transported it to Edinburg, and used an excavator to bury it.
Investigators found video footage on Grijalva’s cellphone showing Gomez helping with the burial.
A fifth suspect, Alejandro Cantu, 28, was also arrested.
Detectives learned that Cantu had transported the excavator used to bury Hernandez De Leon, knowing the body was inside the barrel.
He faces charges of tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse and is held on a $1 million bond.
Gomez is held on a $4.3 million bond, while Uvalle Sr. and Grijalva Jr. are each held on a $5 million bond.
The investigation into Hernandez De Leon’s murder is ongoing.
Comments
Post a Comment