Man arrested after mother’s remains found inside trashcan at storage unit, according to arrest affidavit

SAN ANTONIO — One man has been arrested after human remains are found at a storage unit on Dec. 21, according to an arrest affidavit. 

The affidavit says, officers responded to the 4700 block of Vance Jackson Road for human remains reported to be found inside a storage unit that a man obtained through an auction. 

The district manager provided information about the previous owner, Roger Bernal who had an active warrant and was placed in custody that day. 

The affidavit says Bernal told officers they were his mother’s remains and he was her caretaker. He told authorities on Oct. 31, 2021 she fell while taking a shower and although was still breathing chose not to call 911 because of his record. Bernal admitted to officials his mother died after the fall. 

According to authorities, after Bernal’s mother died he placed her in a closet at the apartment they lived at. A year later, Bernal was evicted from the apartment and bought a storage unit where he says decided to place his mother’s remains in a trashcan, the affidavit says. 

Bernal is charged with a felony of alter/destroy/concealing a human corpse.