Missing Houston mother’s family recalls long justice battle as accused killer faces pre-trial
HOUSTON – Nearly 7 years after a Houston mother vanished, the man accused of killing Maria Jimenez-Rodriguez will face a judge on Friday for a pre-trial hearing.
RELATED: ‘Five years of torture’: Family speaks out after bond denied for suspect charged in missing NE Houston woman’s murder
While her body was never recovered, Erik Fardell Arceneaux , 53, was booked into the Harris County Jail in September 2023 and charged with her murder.
I spoke with Maria’s sister about how they’ve been fighting the long battle for justice.
A full report will be shared later tonight at 6 p.m. on KPRC 2.
Start Here, Houston Before you "PRESS START" to your day, get ahead of the game by signing up for our morning newsletters, sent every weekday.
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
About the Author Andy Cerota headshot
Award-winning journalist, adventure seeker, explorer, dog lover.
HPD body cam of Greenspoint check cashing attempted robbery ▶ 0:56
HPD body cam of Greenspoint check cashing attempted robbery
Fa la la la fog! Expect some foggy morning weather through Christmas ▶ 0:47
Fa la la la fog! Expect some foggy morning weather through Christmas
Woman dies in massive apartment fire on Houston's southwest side ▶ 1:16
Woman dies in massive apartment fire on Houston's southwest side
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Baytown police; mother of his children found dead in apartment ▶ 0:55
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Baytown police; mother of his children found dead in apartment
Top stories for December 19 ▶ 2:13
Top stories for December 19
Holiday travel hits a sweeter note as Southwest Airlines worker plays sax at Houston airport ▶ 2:03
Holiday travel hits a sweeter note as Southwest Airlines worker plays sax at Houston airport
Parents fight to save A-rated Sugar Mill Elementary as Fort Bend ISD weighs closures ▶ 0:51
Parents fight to save A-rated Sugar Mill Elementary as Fort Bend ISD weighs closures
Girlfriend identifies Andrew Meismer as victim in fatal stabbing at Baytown high school ▶ 0:53
Girlfriend identifies Andrew Meismer as victim in fatal stabbing at Baytown high school
Houston family says cemetery failed to deliver headstone for nearly three years ▶ 0:39
Houston family says cemetery failed to deliver headstone for nearly three years
Woman survives camel kick during Christmas performance at Houston-area church ▶ 0:54
Woman survives camel kick during Christmas performance at Houston-area church
Holiday travel forecast ▶ 0:41
Holiday travel forecast
Conroe judge disciplined for DUI during military ▶ 0:20
Conroe judge disciplined for DUI during military
Why there are two different days for the start of winter? ▶ 0:50
Why there are two different days for the start of winter?
Students at high school in Baytown gather to honor classmate who died in stabbing in classroom ▶ 1:17
Students at high school in Baytown gather to honor classmate who died in stabbing in classroom
3,500 cases of pertussis reported already this year! ▶ 1:16
3,500 cases of pertussis reported already this year!
Tops stories for Dec. 18 ▶ 1:43
Tops stories for Dec. 18
Camp Mystic works to regain parents trust as it plans to reopen ▶ 1:54
Camp Mystic works to regain parents trust as it plans to reopen
Rapid Fire with Tom Llamas in Houston 🔥 ▶ 2:33
Rapid Fire with Tom Llamas in Houston 🔥
New flood detection system going up at camps in Texas Hill Country ▶ 1:42
New flood detection system going up at camps in Texas Hill Country
Student dies after being stabbed with scissors during fight in classroom at Sterling High School ▶ 0:48
Student dies after being stabbed with scissors during fight in classroom at Sterling High School
Conroe judge told officers to ‘be aware that he is a judge’ during DWI stop ▶ 1:15
Conroe judge told officers to ‘be aware that he is a judge’ during DWI stop
Weak front on the way ▶ 1:03
Weak front on the way
Happy Wednesday! Clouds and showers expected throughout Houston today ▶ 0:49
Happy Wednesday! Clouds and showers expected throughout Houston today
Top stories for Dec. 17 ▶ 2:14
Top stories for Dec. 17
AirBnB shuts down Montrose ‘Grand House’ again after KPRC 2 gets involved ▶ 1:29
AirBnB shuts down Montrose ‘Grand House’ again after KPRC 2 gets involved
Previous photo Next photo