What happened:
HOUSTON – Authorities gave an update Monday morning after court documents revealed new details in the case of a Houston woman who has been missing for over a year.
Maria Jimenez-Rodriguez, 29, was reported missing on June 21, 2018, when she vanished after dropping her daughter off at the babysitter’s house.
On Thursday, new court document revealed that her then-boyfriend, Erik Arceneaux, 47, has been charged with murder in connection with her disappearance. Investigators said they have not seen or spoken to Arceneaux since July of 2018 but they say they have evidence that supports he killed Maria, dismembered her body with a chainsaw and disposed of it.
What the family is saying:
Gloria Rodriguez, Maria’s sister, said she had no knowledge about her sister’s relationship with Arceneaux.
“I don’t think they had a relationship. I feel it’s more as a stalker,” Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said the last year has been har don the entire family, especially Maria’s 5-year-old daughter. Rodriguez said initially she told her niece, who she in now raising, that her mother was at the doctor.
“And she’s asked OK this is taking so long. She’s not coming back or what’s happening,” Rodriguez recalled. “Now I told her whenever she thinks of her mom to think that she’s in her heart.”
Rodriguez said she hopes Arceneaux turns himself in and helps give her family closure.
“If he could please think about Destiny (Maria’s daughter). Because he knows Destiny. Give himself up. If he really cared for Maria, also give himself up. Think about all the pain he’s causing Destiny,” she said.
What is next:
Houston police said they have exhausted a number of resources looking for Arceneaux. They’re urging the public to call Crime Stoppers at (713) 222- TIPS if they know his whereabouts. Arceneaux is considered dangerous.
The Rodriguez family has a vigil planned on Wednesday, October 30th in the 9600 block of Texarkana on what would have been Maria’s 31st birthday.