Stepmom arrested in Savanah Soto case said she was asleep at the time

Last week’s arrest of a third person in the murder case of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra brought to a close online discussions about a person seen throwing a towel in security footage released by San Antonio police. Myrta Romanos, the stepmom of alleged shooter Christopher Preciado, 19, was arrested on January 10 in connection to the murder case of the young San Antonio couple and their unborn child. 

The arrest affidavit for Romanos now reveals that she told police that she was at home the night of the incident and couldn’t recall what happened that night. She also told police that she “thought she was asleep” that night of December 21, when the couple went missing. She denied being in the pickup truck that belonged to Ramon Preciado, 53, the alleged shooter’s father. 

Detectives reviewed the surveillance camera footage from behind the apartments on Danny Kaye Drive where Guerra and Soto were found dead with gunshot wounds to the head. The footage showed someone throwing a towel from the pickup truck to Ramon, who then used it to wipe down Guerra’s Gray Kia Optima. 

Detectives also pulled surveillance footage from the Preciado on Charlie Chan Drive, which showed Romanos leave the home with Ramon, and then return minutes later with Christopher, the alleged shooter. 

Arrest records for Christopher say that Guerra and Soto drove to his home on Charlie Chan Drive to sell marijuana, but Christopher told police that the Guerra pointed a gun at him. Christopher’s story did not match police evidence, and detectives determined that Christopher allegedly shot the couple with the intent to kill them. The gun was found in the Preciado home. 

Their bodies were discovered on December 26. The unborn baby, Fabian, also died as a result. 

Romanos is charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, as well as alter, destroy or conceal a human corpse. Her bond was set at a total of $1.1 million for the charges. Christopher was charged with with abuse of a corpse, concealing a corpse and capital murder of multiple people including baby Fabian. Ramon was charged with abuse of a corpse and alter, destroy or conceal a human corpse. 

Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales says a grand jury will decide to indict Christopher on his charges but didn’t provide a date.