Border patrol agent Juan “JD” Ortiz has been detained and arrested in connection with three murders in Laredo, Texas.
Now, a fourth body of a female has been found just hours after Ortiz had been initially detained.
“The community can rest assured they have the serial killer in custody,” Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar said during an afternoon press conference.
Ortiz, an Intel supervisor for the U.S. Border Patrol in Laredo and former marine, fled from authorities this morning at around 1:30 a.m.
Authorities attempted to stop Ortiz after a female escaped his vehicle, called police and identified the suspect driving the vehicle.
But Ortiz then fled from police and ran towards a Ramada Hotel before officers from the sheriff, DPS, LPD and the Texas Rangers launched a man hunt.
He was eventually arrested on the 3rd floor of the hotel 30 minutes later after he was discovered hiding behind the bed of a pick up truck.
Four Bodies linked to Ortiz
Earlier this week, investigators found the body of 47-year-old Claudine Anne Luera September 13 in the same area a previous homicide victim was found about a week prior, according to EPTXN.
The Texas Rangers are also investigating the death of a woman whose body was found near the same vicinity where the other victim was found over a week ago, which was reported by a concerned citizen at around 7:28 a.m. authorities say.
She was initially alive when deputies arrived to find her in the brush, but later died at the hospital.
So far, a preliminary investigation confirmed that a woman with head trauma was found off the roadway near the same location.
Most recently, PINAC has also obtained a video from citizen journalist Lagordiloca News, which can be seen above, reporting police have found the fourth body today.
PINAC was able to confirm a fourth body has been found after Lagordiloca News arrived on-scene at the press conference.
All four of the women recently found worked as prostitutes, according to Webb County district attorney Isidro Alaniz.
Possible link not yet Confirmed
In May, a woman reportedly died as a result from a gunshot wound near Rio Bravo, Texas after a 15-year border patrol agent veteran, who claims immigrants attacked him with blunt objects during a human smuggling attempt, responded to a report of illegal activity.
The agent, whose name was not reported, broadcast shots fired over the service radio and requested EMS. First aid was rendered, but the woman eventually died.
Press Conference
Watch today's afternoon press conference with Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar below.
