Incident Overview
In April, Rosenda Hernandez was fatally shot multiple times while in her car on Seventh Street near the West Park Toll Road and South Kirkwood in Houston. Police have named her ex-boyfriend, Jose Santiago Villatoro, as the primary suspect in the murder.
Suspect’s Background and Flight
Three months after Hernandez’s death, the Houston Police Department identified Villatoro, who was charged with murder on June 3rd. Authorities believe he may have fled to Mexico, complicating efforts to capture him. Surveillance footage, not publicly released, reportedly shows Villatoro arguing with Hernandez before the shooting.
Victim’s Family and Investigation
Hernandez’s son, Daniel Gonzalez, had suspected Villatoro from the outset and was confirmed by the footage. Gonzalez described Villatoro’s behavior as increasingly jealous and violent. After the breakup, Hernandez was reportedly trying to end the relationship when she was killed. Despite tracking Villatoro to the Laredo border crossing, police have yet to capture him, and leads on his current location have gone cold.
