The victim, Maria Gonzalez, was tragically found dead beneath her bed in her family’s suburban Houston apartment over the weekend.
Authorities in Pasadena, Texas are intensifying their search for a person of interest linked to the ongoing investigation into the harrowing sexual assault and killing of an 11-year-old girl
The Pasadena Police Department has labeled Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, an 18-year-old originally from Guatemala, as a person of interest. Garcia-Rodriguez, the person of interest had been residing in the same apartment complex where the young victim was discovered, though he has since disappeared, last seen on Monday around 4 p.m. Despite extensive efforts to locate Garcia-Rodriguez, the person of interest, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Maria Gonzalez had been alone at home on Saturday morning when an unknown individual knocked on her door. She texted her father, Carmelo Gonzalez, who was at work at the time. He advised her not to open the door and her last communication indicated she would stay put. Tragically, subsequent attempts to reach her went unanswered.
Carmelo Gonzalez returned home later that day, only to find his daughter’s lifeless body concealed beneath her bed, wrapped in a trash bag, and placed in a laundry basket. Authorities have confirmed that the young girl was both strangled and sexually assaulted.
Pasadena Police Chief Josh Bruegger expressed the urgency of the investigation, stating that the gathering of evidence is ongoing to rule out any person of interest
The local community, primarily consisting of Guatemalan immigrants, has been hesitant to cooperate due to varying immigration statuses. However, authorities stress that resolving this case and ensuring community safety are the top priorities.
Crime Stoppers of Houston has offered a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the person of interest responsible for this heinous crime. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on edge, seeking justice for the young girl whose life was tragically cut short.
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