What Happened to Missing Hispanic Man in 2024: Suspect Charged with Murder
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance and death of Jorge Garza Perales, who was last seen in August 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. According to officials, one of the suspects has been identified as Yesid O. Villabona Leon, after investigators pieced together the events through forensic evidence, surveillance videos, and the testimony of the accused. Court documents reveal that the case dates back to August 21, 2024, when Jorge Garza Perales was last seen at his residence. Days later, his mother reported him missing, noting that he was someone who maintained daily contact with his family. Authorities discovered that prior to his disappearance, Garza Perales was living with two roommates. However, when the case was reported, these roommates' rooms had already been emptied, and his vehicle was also missing. The investigation progressed with the tracking of the victim's cell phone, which showed a route from San Antonio heading south on the night of August 21, passing through areas of Atascosa County. Surveillance videos captured two vehicles traveling together: one dark and another matching the description of the victim's car. At a gas station, cameras recorded drivers making purchases and refueling before leaving again in the same direction. Months later, on November 21, 2024, Garza Perales' car was found abandoned in a parking lot in downtown San Antonio. During the inspection, authorities found evidence of blood inside, including on the seats and console. Cleaning products and a bottle of bleach were also located in the vehicle, which, according to the investigation, could indicate attempts to alter the scene. Key witness statements emerged during the investigation from an anonymous witness who indicated that one of the victim's roommates, later identified as Marlon Roney Vasquez-García, had confessed to the crime. Records show that Vasquez-García left the country shortly after the incident, allegedly heading to Honduras. The court document states that Villabona Leon was arrested on December 13, 2024, in North Carolina. After being transferred to Texas, he provided a statement to authorities claiming that during a confrontation, Vasquez-García placed the victim in a chokehold that ultimately caused his death. According to his account, both transported the body in the victim's vehicle to a rural area near Atascosa and Live Oak counties, where they abandoned it. In March 2025, search teams located human remains on a ranch in Live Oak County. Among the findings were a human skull and clothing matching the victim's description. Subsequently, Villabona Leon led authorities to the site and confirmed it was where the body had been left. Villabona Leon faces a murder charge, while investigations related to the case continue. As for the second suspect, court documents indicate he left the country for Honduras days after the crime, and his current whereabouts are not detailed.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
