LAREDO, Texas (TCN) — A 42-year-old man was recently charged on suspicion of fatally strangling a 33-year-old mother of nine after an attempted sexual assault nearly nine years ago.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, on May 18, 2016, at around midnight, Janette Escamilla Jaramillo left work but never made it home. Laredo Parks and Recreation Department staff discovered her body the following morning underneath a skate ramp at Seven Flags Park, which was near her home. Authorities said she showed signs of strangulation and an attempted sexual assault.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage showing Jaramillo walking with an unidentified suspect approximately 30 minutes after she left work. Despite their efforts, authorities were unable to uncover sufficient evidence to make any arrests. They did say, however, that the suspect in the video was tall with short, cropped hair, and he was wearing a trash bag because it was likely raining that night.
In 2021, officials were granted funds to perform advanced DNA testing through Bod Technologies, which later led to the identification of Sergio Mendez as a suspect in the case. On March 12, a grand jury indicted Mendez on a charge of first-degree murder, per court records. He is already in custody serving a 10-year prison sentence for a separate crime.
- Texas Rangers Identify Suspect in Laredo Mother’s Cold Case Murder – Texas Department of Public Safety
- Webb County Court Records
Source: True Crime Daily