LINCOLN PARK, TEXAS: A Texas man was apprehended on Wednesday, August 16, after he was accused of murdering his common-law spouse. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in Brownsville due to a “welfare concern.”
After they went inside the home, the authorities discovered the body of Jocelyn Morales, 22, with “anomalies” and suspected foul play, Sheriff Eric Garza said. “It was definitely a violent death,” Capt Alvarez Guerra with the county sheriff’s office said.
Who is Abel Giovani Nava?
Abel Giovani Nava, who is suspected of killing Morales, was arrested the following day and eventually confessed to murdering her because of "jealousy problems," according to the release. "He gave a full confession as to how the incident occurred and how he did, why he did,” Guerra said.
District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said that Nava initially escaped the scene but was later located in a parking lot in Lincoln Park, Texas, by an investigator for the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office.
“It's horrible, it's the worst-case scenario. A partner commits the ultimate crime of taking a human life — the young lady is a beautiful young lady with a beautiful baby — over jealousy,” he said.
“With all the modern technology currently used in today’s police work, a good old-fashioned police officer walking the beat helped win the day,” Saenz said in a Facebook post according to People Magazine. “Now Nava will wait to answer the criminal charges pending against him," he added.
“We all have to come together,” said Saenz before adding “We all know of a neighbor that we know may be caught in this sort of relationship, we need to reach out to those folks and offer them help." The public also plays a role in helping recognize red flags, Saenz claimed.
Nava was charged with first-degree murder and is in custody at Carrizales-Rucker Detention Facility where he is on a $1 million bond.
What did the victim's sister say?
A GoFundMe was created by Morales’ family to cover her funeral expenses and has already raised over $6,000.
“This tragedy has not only left my family completely heartbroken, but it has also blindsided us with the unexpected funeral expenses,” wrote Morales’ sister, Natalie Ramirez, who organized the GoFundMe. “I ask for any donations to help give my sister a beautiful funeral that she deserves, so we can say our final goodbyes to her.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the official cause of her death.
