34-year-old Sixto Banegas Matute was arrested by authorities in Mesquite for the murder of Dallas ISD teacher’s assistant Jennifer Mendez Olascoaga, 24.
Mendez had been reported missing by relatives after going missing on Sept. 27. She had reportedly stopped by a mobile home park in Seagoville to drop off a friend but hadn’t reported to work the next day.
Later, camera footage from a Quiktrip in Dallas showed Mendez pumping gas and purchasing food and a drink.
On Oct. 12, Mendez’s body was located in a wooded area of Mesquite, not too far from where her vehicle was found.
On Wednesday, Matute was apprehended and charged for the killing of Mendez.
Authorities haven’t provided any details regarding how they linked Matute, of Balch Springs, to Mendez’s death.
Relatives and friends did show text messages sent to them after she went missing, though.
“Jennifer dead. You are next. You better text me back,” one message read.
“I never going to find the body. I won’t tell you nothing,” another message read.
Authorities have not disclosed if Mendez or her relatives knew Matute.
An investigation is continuing.
