Web Desk
LAREDO, Texas — A major breakthrough has been made in a decade-long murder case, as authorities have named a suspect in the killing of Maria Jaramillo.
Maria Rivera was only 16 when she lost her mother, spending years without knowing who was responsible or why her mother was killed.
That changed when Texas Rangers, the Webb County District Attorney’s Office, and Laredo Police announced they had identified a suspect.
Sergio Mendez, 42, has been indicted for Jaramillo’s murder. She was last seen walking past a business on San Bernardo Avenue just after midnight on May 18, 2016.
For Jaramillo’s family, the announcement has reopened old wounds. Maria Rivera and her siblings are reliving the painful memories of that day.
Police said DNA evidence found at the crime scene, combined with technology that wasn’t available in 2016, linked Mendez to the murder.
“I just felt happy — happy that my mom is finally going to get justice after nine years. It’s unbelievable,” Maria Rivera said.
The past years have been especially hard for her, as she recalls the last words she exchanged with her mother.
“It’s been tough. Who doesn’t need their mom? I have to live with that. I fought with her the last time we spoke, and we were so close. It’s been hard,” she added.
No trial date has been set yet, but Jaramillo’s children, including Perla Rivera, want their mother to be remembered for the kind and patient person she was.
“She had a warm heart. She was very nice, understanding, and patient. She was a great role model, and I try to follow her example,” Perla said.
Sergio Mendez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Edinburg, Texas, for an unrelated crime.
Authorities credited the breakthrough to the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), which helped reanalyze evidence and identify the suspect.
Jaramillo’s family remains hopeful that justice will finally be served.
