In October 2020, Marisela Botello, a young woman from Seattle, planned a short trip to Dallas.
What was meant to be a relaxing break from her busy life turned into a chilling and tragic event.
Marisela, who wanted to unwind and check out Dallas's nightlife, disappeared without a trace after meeting a stranger.
What followed was a story filled with jealousy, murder, and a desperate attempt to escape justice.
 |
| Marisela Botello |
A Planned Getaway Turns Tragic
Marisela Botello was a 23-year-old woman living in Seattle with her family.
She was known for her cheerful personality and dreams of becoming a nutritionist.
Marisela was really excited she was going for a short vacation to relax and recharge.
Her family was worried about her traveling alone.
However, they supported her decision because flights were cheap due to the pandemic.
On October 2, 2020, Maricella left for Dallas, eager to enjoy her trip.
Her mother’s last memory of her was a cheerful goodbye as Marisela headed to the airport.
She originally planned to come back home on October 5th, 2020, after three days.
When she didn’t return as expected, her family became worried, and a search began.
 |
| Marisela Botello |
Night Out Gone Wrong: Marisela’s Final Moments in Dallas
Marisela’s final night in Dallas was meant to be a fun-filled one as she set out to explore Deep Ellum, a vibrant nightlife district in the city.
Her outgoing nature led her to start up conversations with strangers, one of whom was Charles Beltran.
Charles, a 31-year-old aspiring rapper, was also out celebrating after performing at a local rap show.
The two met outside a nightclub, and after talking briefly, they decided to go to Charles' place.
What seemed like a simple decision that night turned out to be a deadly one.
CCTV footage shows Marisela leaving a 7-Eleven with Charles, and that was the last time she was seen alive
 |
| Charles Beltran |
Disturbing Discovery
Marisela’s sudden disappearance led to a detailed investigation that revealed a gruesome discovery.
Her remains were discovered in March 2021, six months after her disappearance.
A witness found human remains in a wooded area near Wilmer, about 20 miles southeast of Dallas.
The remains were later identified as Marisela’s, but the cause of death was unclear because of the decomposition.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on Charles Beltran, the last person seen with Marisela.
Charles' story revealed a disturbing tale of jealousy and violence.
According to Charles, on the night Marisela was killed, there was a violent confrontation involving his girlfriend, Lisa Dykes.
 |
| Lisa Dykes |
Jealousy and Violence: What Really Happened That Night?
Charles revealed that in the early hours of October 5th, 2020, Lisa Dykes, fueled by jealousy, attacked Marisela.
Lysa was much older than Charles, and their relationship was already struggling.
In another twist, Lisa had a complicated relationship with another woman, Nina Murano and they all lived together.
Over time, Lisa’s jealousy increased whenever she saw anyone around Charles, especially in their home.
On that fateful night, Lisa found Charles in bed with Marisela.
She didn’t know they had just met that evening and had nothing serious between them.
Driven by anger and jealousy, Lisa attacked Marisela with a kitchen knife.
Charles’ attempt to intervene and protect Marisela was unsuccessful.
You can watch a video of his court testimony below, where he explained what happened that night.
-
The Quest for Justice in Marisela’s Case
Charles, Lisa, and Nina planned to cover up the crime.
They dumped Marisela’s body in the woods and cleaned their home to get rid of any evidence.
Despite their efforts, forensic evidence linked them to the crime scene.
Phone records and DNA analysis confirmed their involvement.
Lisa and Nina initially tried to escape justice by fleeing to Cambodia.
They were eventually apprehended through international cooperation and tracking of their financial transactions.
Charles, who had stayed behind, testified against Lisa, revealing her central role in the crime.
 |
| Lisa Dykes |
After a seven-day trial, a Dallas jury found Dykes guilty of murder and tampering with evidence in just 90 minutes of deliberation.
She was sentenced to life in prison for the murder plus 20 years for tampering.
She maintained her innocence and claimed she didn't even know Marisela
Murder charges against Charles Beltran and Nina Marano were dropped because of their cooperation.
However, both Charles and Nina are still facing charges related to tampering with evidence
Below is a longer video from Law and Crime that provides a detailed look at the case.
What are your thoughts on this disturbing story?
Could Marisela’s tragic death have been prevented?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Comments
Post a Comment