Houston police have apprehended 19-year-old Ariel Cruz in connection with the murder of his 21-year-old girlfriend, whose body was discovered in the trunk of her car. The victim, yet to be publicly identified, was last contacted by her mother on Tuesday morning, according to Houston Police Lieutenant Alisa Smith.
Following her disappearance, the victim’s friend traced her phone to Indigo Street, leading to the discovery of her parked Honda. Although initially treating the case as a missing person’s report and finding the car secure, police did not inspect the vehicle further at the time, stated Lt. Smith.
The victim’s family, who stayed at the scene, along with Cruz, eventually found her body. The victim’s father broke the car window, enabling the family to access the trunk where they discovered her remains.
Cruz has been charged with murder, with Houston police stating that he admitted to his involvement in his girlfriend’s death. Court records indicate that the alleged motive for the killing was related to their past breakup.
