‘Prime suspect’ charged after body of missing elderly man found in rural Hamilton County, Texas
HAMILTON, Texas (KWTX) - Hamilton County deputies and Texas Rangers arrested Luis Aguilar on a murder warrant in the death of Jose Venecia, Jr., who was last seen on Dec. 13 and reported missing on the 23rd.
Venecia was last seen in the 400 block of Lemmons Street in Hamilton during the late afternoon hours. “Jose may have left the area on foot or with an unknown person or persons,” the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a social media post on Dec. 23.
On Dec. 30, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the sheriff’s office and Texas Rangers executed an arrest warrant and a search warrant in the 1300 block of South Dempster Street in Hamilton.
The warrants were the result of a week-long joint investigation into the disappearance of Venecia.
“As the investigation progressed, Luis Aguilar was identified as the primary suspect,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Based on evidence gathered, investigators established probable cause to obtain a murder warrant for Aguilar.”
The suspect was arrested at his residence without incident and transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
During the investigation, Venecia’s body was located in a rural area of Hamilton County at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 30.
No further information was provided.
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