Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to read or post comments. [12] Other Afro-Cuban scholars, on the other hand, alleged that Constanzo murdered Kilroy because he truly believed it was a requirement in his distorted view of Palo Mayombe. Around 2:00a.m. CT, Huddleston suggested the group head back to South Padre Island. Ponce Torres was once pulled over by sheriff deputies in Brownsville who were investigating a house. From this point of view, Constanzo's actions and what happened in Matamoros could happen anywhere. [3], On 15 April, Kilroy's parents met with U.S. President George H. W. Bush and William Bennett, who headed the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In addition, he stated that drug consumption should be treated with better education, and that the use of drugs, even casually, causes suffering. [p][85] A convenience store clerk in Clovis, New Mexico, called the police and told them that he had seen a couple matching the description of Constanzo and Aldrete stopping at his store to purchase something. [35] At St. Luke Catholic Church in Brownsville, over 1,200 people attended a memorial service to support Kilroy's parents. He said he had known Aldrete years before, since he had dated one of her sisters when he was young. 1 in Almoloya, State of Mexico. This person revealed to the police that the ranch had frequent visitors from Serafn's criminal group. In an interview with the press, Kilroy's parents stated that they were relieved to hear that the cultists were sentenced. After about 30 minutes, the driver of the truck took off from the ranch and headed back to the city. Investigators believed that her proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border allowed Aldrete to keep her two lives separate for years. Police have obtained murder and aggravated assault charges against three men in connection to shootings on April 12 and Aug. 6, the department said late Wednesday. Receive email alerts anytime there is breaking news or a severe weather alert. LA MARQUE, Texas A suspect has been arrested after police say they found a womans dead body inside a La Marque home earlier this week. [65] He was then led out to the field, where Constanzo killed him by chopping the back of his neck and head with a machete. Editorials After about 45 minutes, and worried of his imminent capture, Constanzo ordered De Len to kill him and Quintana Rodrguez. The police believed that Constanzo bought several properties across Houston in the past and were investigating if he had visited any of his alleged hangouts. Receive the most recent obituaries every afternoon. though Huddleston said he was not sure if Kilroy responded. [75], On 13 April, a religious ceremony initially intended to revive hope for Kilroy's safe return turned into a memorial service a day after his body was discovered. [12][13] His reputation for predicting the future and offering ritual cleansing became popular with some drug dealers, musicians, and police officers. At around 10:30p.m. CT, Kilroy and his friends headed back to Matamoros. [132], Besides counseling children and teenagers with drug advice, Kilroy's parents also advise young people who plan to travel for spring break, suggesting to stay in groups, keep an eye on each other and not wander off on their own. Federal charges were filed against him for importing marijuana, possession, and conspiracy. Be truthful. The service was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Santa Fe. His stepfather taught him a philosophy that Constanzo carried for the rest of his life: he told him that he should let nonbelievers "kill themselves with drugs" while he could profit from their foolishness. Trent Paschal is a La Marque, Texas, man who is accused in the shooting death of his 30-year-old wife, Savannah Paschal.He was later shot by a Harris County sheriff's deputy after he fled the . September 28, 2015 / 2:01 PM / CBS News. [3][64], The gangsters drove Kilroy through the back streets of the city and past an industrial area, passing through the city's outskirts to Santa Elena ranch. In addition, she stated she was held prisoner during Constanzo's hiding in Mexico City. When the house was raided, investigators found ritualistic candles, an altar, and paperwork with Rivera's name on it. Officials said Rios is the owner of a cleaning company that was contracted to clean homes. As Kilroy stood on the street near his friends, one of the men lured him close to a truck. LA MARQUE, Texas - An arrest has been made in connection to the death of woman found dead at a house under construction in La Marque . No suspect information has been released. Rios was found dead inside a home on the 1300 block of Green Jay Lane just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday. He was charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence and is currently being held in the Galveston Co. Internet forum rules After the bodies were discovered on 11 April 1989, Constanzo fled to Mexico City but was eventually tracked down. LA MARQUE, Texas (KTRK) -- In a matter of five days, La Marque and Texas City have seen five different incidents involving gunfire that have left six people either injured or dead.. Another source stated that Aldrete met Constanzo in 1988. As the police surrounded his apartment complex, Constanzo died after ordering one of the cult members to kill him with a machine gun. He also said that Elio and Ovidio never invited him to the cult or talked to him about it. Don't threaten. The large crowd of people made it difficult for Kilroy and his friends to walk across the border uninterrupted and in a group. He reportedly received several injuries during the arrest. Carlos Lara-Balcazar, 34,. [21] Texan officials told Kilroy's parents that they were planning to talk to Tamaulipas Governor Amrico Villarreal Guerra[es] and get people from Matamoros more involved in their son's disappearance. [21] The next morning, Constanzo reportedly went into a rage after the arson was shown on national television. An average of 550 youth participate in these programs every summer. [3][4] The marks were given to selected cult members with the authority to perform human sacrifice. Threats of harming another [96] U.S. authorities, however, believed that Aldrete purposely left her belongings behind to confuse investigators and make it appear that she was dead. [113], On 10 June 1993, drug trafficking charges against Ovidio and Ponce Torres were dropped in the U.S without a stated reason. Kilroy's father concluded that change required the government to do its part, but that it also required every citizen of the country to put in their effort to make it happen. Family members of two victims stated that they their deceased relatives were not involved in any drug trafficking activities. On 14 March 1989, University of Texas at Austin student Mark James Kilroy was kidnapped in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, while vacationing during spring break. They told the politicians that for every drug consumer, there is a victim who suffers from their addiction. [127] She also questioned the police's decision to burn down the shack in Santa Elena, since it was crucial for the investigation and probably contained the fingerprints of the murderers. Kilroy met with a few women at the bar and was not seen by his friends for a while. The police then spotted a man at the supermarket who was attempting to buy large amounts of groceries with U.S. dollars. [93] No men were arrested at the scene, but the police managed to arrest a lady called Mara Teresa Quintana Rodrguez, sister of one of Constanzo's lovers and henchmen. [64] Investigators concluded that most of the victims were rival drug dealers of Constanzo and not random abductees like Kilroy. He said he was allegedly beaten and told that he and his family would be killed if he spoke English during his declaration. Authorities said Rios is the owner of a cleaning company that was contracted to clean homes. Investigators later revealed that the checkpoint was set up because U.S. Customs agents alerted the Mexican federal police that drugs had been introduced to Brownsville from this part of Matamoros. The La Marque Police Department said that Carlos Lara- Balcazar, 34, is now charged with murder in the death of 57-year-old Maria Rios. [3][46], When the excavation was concluded, the suspects had unearthed 15 mutilated bodies including Kilroy's, all males who had been killed over a period of nine months. They discovered piles of homosexual pornography and a hidden ritual chamber with an altar. Receive the daily weather forecast and the weekly outlook in your inbox each morning. [l][69] Kilroy's corpse was officially identified after the Brownsville police matched his dental records with the teeth found at the scene. Aldrete claimed she was beaten so severely that doctors told her she would never be able to have children. [116][117], On 27 March 1998, a Mexican federal court reduced the sentences of Elio, Serna Valdez, and Martnez Salinas by 17 years, lowering their sentences from 67 total years to 50. LA MARQUE. When Kilroy's friends reported the disappearance, customs agents went with them to Matamoros to help retrace their steps. She stated that she was not an official member of the cult and was barely going through the initiation. [21] Constanzo's members were forced to see the film again and again in order to indoctrinate them to the necessity of human sacrifice. Deadly-officer involved shooting in La Marque. They were sent to jail while the police interrogated another caretaker at the ranch. Prairie View A&M University graduate with a masters degree in Digital Media Studies from Sam Houston State. [72] Other writers, however, stated that Constanzo believed in Kadiempembe, the devil in Palo Mayombe. Kilroy was killed with a machete blow and then had his brain removed and boiled in a pot. [51] Inside an iron pot, investigators discovered remains of human brain, a goat's head, chicken feet, a turtle, several herbs, a horseshoe, and coins mixed with animal blood. Bush described the case as "very sensitive", and Bennett stated that Kilroy's murder was mourned nationwide but that the parents were able to turn their suffering to a "very good effort". [75][91], At the scene, the police took Aldrete, De Len, Orea Ochoa, Juan Carlos Fragoso, and Jorge Montes into custody. Another source states he was arrested on 10 May in. [5][6] She introduced him to Palo Mayombe, an Afro-Caribbean religion that involves animal sacrifice. [97], The Mexico City police department noticed that the Matamoros killings were similar to murders carried out in Mexico City between 1987 and 1989. [105] Constanzo's 9mm Uzi submachine gun and his supposed suitcase were never formally presented by the police as seized items. He hoped that if and when those responsible for Kilroy's death go to heaven and see their son, they can apologize to him for their wrongdoing. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. and stay on topic. Investigators then hired a hypnotist to see if he could figure out some additional clues. Upon graduation in 1986, he attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, before transferring to Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, on a basketball scholarship. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Leacroy of the La Marque Police Department at (409) 938-9251. According to La Marque Police Departments Lt. Forrest Gandy, 34-year-old Carlos Heriberto Lara-Balcazar was arrested on Thursday after detectives reportedly found discarded evidence in a dumpster. Updated 1:48PM La Marque FOX 26 Houston LA MARQUE, Texas - Police are investigating after a woman was found dead at a house under construction in La Marque, officials say. Cult members Elio, Serafn Jr., Martnez Salinas, and Serna Valdez, received 67 years each. Wether they were the most important, most read or most talked about we want to make sure you read them. [83] Rumors began to surface that Constanzo was seen in Chicago, Illinois;[5] other rumors suggested that Aldrete was spotted in schools throughout the Rio Grande Valley and that she had vowed to kidnap children for every jailed cult member. Together they questioned informants, potential witnesses, and worked on tips provided by their sources. He said that it was easier to overcome their son's death because of the support they received. [j] As Kilroy approached the vehicle, Hernndez Garca and another cult member, Malio Fabio Ponce Torres,[k] grabbed Kilroy and wrestled him inside the truck. By ABC13 Monday, February 15, 2010 LA MARQUE, TX Officials could not tell us exactly how long the teacher has been with the district or the subject matter that she taught. When they first arrived at South Padre Island, there were few people because it was very early in the five-week spring break season. Serafn said he had been tortured by the Mexican and U.S. police in Matamoros to confess his participation in Kilroy's murder and in the killings at Santa Elena. The evidence was said to lead authorities to Lara-Balcazar. They speculated that Kilroy could have been a victim of drug-related violence or of robbery-killing, but they were short on leads to make any firm conclusions. The mother of the 22-year-old man who was shot and killed by a La Marque police officer says she wants know what happened to her son. The men left Kilroy inside the car overnight. "I saw him", and then pointed at the shack at the ranch. Additionally, Gandy says investigators believe Lara-Balcazar knew the victim and that this incident was not random.. [5] Reyes Bustamante, the ranch caretaker, was accused in court of cover-up; he was released from prison on 11 December 1990, after paying a bond of US$500. [129][130] Since 1994, the foundation has sponsored and worked alongside Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE), a non-profit community group that promotes awareness for substance abuse and drug prevention. Moriah Ballard joined the KPRC 2 digital team in the fall of 2021. "and was also detained on an immigration hold". LA MARQUE, Texas - Officials have identified two men who were killed in a shooting at a La Marque home on Sunday. The alleged suspect, Kenavion Marquise Baker, 26, then left Shreveport and headed south into Sabine County. [86], On 17 April, Serafn Hernndez Rivera Sr., a Brownsville native, was arrested in Houston by DEA and Texas Department of Public Safety agents. [79], On 11 April 1989, the day the bodies were exhumed from Santa Elena, Constanzo fled to a Holiday Inn in Brownsville before flying from McAllen, Texas, to Mexico City, where he had an apartment. Her faith, family, and community are her top passions. Other sources state that Santera was erroneously associated with Constanzo and that it was strictly Palo Mayombe. Many local residents attended the service and about 150 children pinned yellow ribbons outside the church's trees to rally in favor of Kilroy. [49], On 9 April, they returned with several other policemen and arrested Hernndez Garca, his uncle Elio Hernndez Rivera, cult members David Serna Valdez and Sergio Martnez Salinas, and Domingo Reyes Bustamante, the ranch's caretaker. Once the event was over that afternoon, Kilroy headed to the hotel for a quick nap before planning their trip to Mexico. The other two were sent to Federal Social Readaptation Center No. According to La Marque Police Deputy Chief Chad Waggoner, foul play was more than likely involved in Rios death. Orea Ochoa confessed to the press that Constanzo had ordered the killing of infants and children since 1983. [e] By the time Huddleston came out and caught up to the other two near Garca's, Kilroy had vanished. [q][92] Cameron County officials also issued arrest warrants for the other cult members who were at large. This information was false. Small forces' problems. However, his case drew more attention in the U.S. because his uncle, Ken Kilroy, worked at the United States Customs Service in Los Angeles. His name is also spelled as Mario Fabio Ponce Torres by other sources. A property manager called La Marque Police Department about 5 p.m. Tuesday after finding Rios dead in a house under construction, authorities said. In addition, he was also charged with tampering with evidence, 6 people injured during shooting at El Paso party, Texas police say, Cyclospora on the rise in Harris and Fort Bend Counties, officials say, LA teen uses 14 rolls of duct tape to make prom ballgown. [42] U.S. authorities had praised the efforts of the Mexican federal police on the case, but they distrusted the state and municipal officials. [132], After Kilroy was confirmed dead, the media framed the drug group and their religious practices as Satanist. He was not charged with Kilroy's murder or for any other killings conducted by Constanzo's group. [15] She was the girlfriend of Gilberto Sosa, a drug dealer linked to the Hernndez clan to which Constanzo wanted an introduction. [a][9] He started as a "palero", someone who practices Palo Mayombe, and eventually reached the status of high-priest, "padrino". Cyclospora cases on the rise in Harris Co. WAR OF WORDS: Houston activist says he has conversation 'on record' with Rudy Farias, HAVE YOU SEEN ARGO? He said he was a student of Texas Southmost College and knew who Aldrete was, but did not have any connection with her. Chance Michael Moseley was almost 15 years old in September 2015 when he stabbed his mom, Nita Marie Moseley, 57 times and strangled her with an electrical cord to "put her out of her misery." The. The checkpoint-runner then traveled out to the Santa Elena ranch outside Matamoros. [140] Helen Kilroy died in 2014 from ALS, aged 70.[141][142]. [36], When the police interrogated Hernndez Garca separately, he confessed that several people, including Kilroy, had been killed over the course of several months at Santa Elena. [93][85], On 17 April in Mexico City, the police raided one of Constanzo's properties in Atizapn. They woke up the next day at the hotel and Kilroy's whereabouts were still unknown. Constanzo noticed the police from the window of his apartment and opened fire at the officers who were at ground level. A womans body was found in a home in La Marque Tuesday, officers with the La Marque Police Department said. The full-time and part-time counselors visit school campuses during the academic year in Santa Fe and Hitchcock to hold programs for approximately 800 students regularly. He was allowed to go freely. Another source states that the police were in the area for an unrelated reason. Matt deGrood: 409-683-5230; matt.degrood@galvnews.com. Receive updates on the latest issues of Coast Monthly. Subscribe to Email Newsletters And Breaking News Alerts, Suspect charged with murder in La Marque homicide investigation. The police believed that Constanzo had possibly fled to Miami to visit his mother, but Constanzo opted for Mexico City, where he hid with several of his followers for short periods of time. [122][123] Aldrete claimed she visited Constanzo in Mexico City and was then taken hostage after Constanzo decided to not let her go because he believed that she would go to the police and tell them where they were hiding. Neighbor recounts dramatic arrest of man suspected of house cleaner's murder in La Marque, Woman found dead in empty, new home in La Marque was owner of cleaning company, police say. There was a problem saving your notification. BACKGROUND: Woman found dead at La Marque house under construction on Green Jay Lane Authorities tell FOX 26, Carlos Lara-Balcazar has been charged with tampering with physical evidence, which is a felony. [41] Texan officials contacted the U.S. consulate in Matamoros and asked investigators to carry out a search with Kilroy's description in Matamoros jails and hospitals. Receive special offers from The Daily News and select partners including discounts, contests and more.
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