In 2005, a woman who was nine months pregnant was found dead in Cotulla. After a long-awaited breakthrough, authorities believe they have her killer.
SAN ANTONIO — After 20 years of no closure in the tragic murder of a woman who was nine months pregnant, a suspect is now in custody.
The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office arrested 66-year-old Saul Gonzalez in connection to the cold case from 2005.
On July 19, 2005, Valerie Laguna’s body was found at Cristo Rey Cemetery in Cotulla. She was nine months pregnant at the time of her death.
Through advanced forensic analysis, officials say investigators were able to link Gonzalez to this “horrific crime.”
On Friday, a La Salle County Grand Jury indicted Gonzalez on a capital murder charge.
“For twenty years, this community has carried the memory of a terrible loss,” said Sheriff Hector Ramirez. “This arrest represents a significant step toward justice. More importantly, it represents a moment for healing—for the victim’s family, who have waited so long, and for a community that has never forgotten.”
Ramirez added even though details of the case remain limited due to the pending prosecution, this long-awaited breakthrough is the result of tireless work spanning several administrations.
“Past sheriffs, former investigators, and current investigators all refused to let the case go cold. Their efforts—alongside never-wavering support and dedication from the Texas Rangers—ensured that the pursuit of justice never stopped.”