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Arrest made weeks after 61-year-old missing man found dead in ditch in Fort Bend County

Emilio Cruz Jr., 33. (Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office)

NEEDVILLE, Texas – An arrest has been made in the case of a 61-year-old man who was found dead in a ditch by construction workers on June 11.

The suspect, Emilio Cruz Jr., 33, has been charged with Failure to Stop and Render Aid in connection to the death of Enrique Godinez.

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Cruz was arrested and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail. His bond was set at $100,000.

WHAT HAPPENED

On June 11, around 1:13 p.m., deputies were called to a construction site in the 6900 block of FM 361, which is south of Rosenberg and north of Needville.

Workers who were surveying the area told deputies they found a decomposing body inside a drainage ditch in the rural area.

While investigating the scene, deputies said they also found a damaged bike near the body and debris from a vehicle.

Investigators said on May 24, a few weeks prior, traffic calls showed an accident was reported in the area by a Lamar Consolidated Independent School District police officer. According to the report, an FBCSO deputy responded, spoke with a driver, and took their information but no further information regarding the incident was released.

Deputies said they then found out that a missing persons report was filed on May 28 with the Rosenburg Police Department. Deputies said the person in that report had been missing since May 19.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the missing man was 61-year-old Enrique Godinez who was found in the ditch.

Deputies said they have since identified a person of interest and a vehicle connected to this incident.

An internal investigation has also been launched in connection to the investigation conducted on May 24.

“Our deputies and investigators have worked tirelessly on this case to bring clarity to such a tragic incident,” said Sheriff Eric Fagan. “Words cannot adequately express the sorrow we feel for the Godinez family.”


About the Author
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Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.

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