Two decades after the killing of Valeria Laguna, a pregnant woman whose body was found at Cristo Rey Cemetery in Cotulla, Texas, authorities have charged a suspect in her death. The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 66-year-old Saul Gonzalez on August 29.
Laguna was nine months pregnant when she was killed in July 2005. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), she appeared to have been sexually assaulted, beaten, and strangled. Both Laguna and her unborn child died as a result of the attack.
The investigation into Laguna’s death remained unresolved for 20 years. Sheriff Hector Ramirez stated, “For twenty years, this community has carried the memory of a terrible loss,” adding, “This arrest represents a significant step toward justice.”
Ramirez credited advancements in forensic analysis with helping investigators connect Gonzalez to the crime. Officials did not release further details about the investigation due to ongoing prosecution.
DPS officials said that an analysis conducted in 2023 on both new and existing evidence identified Gonzalez as a suspect. His DNA was reportedly found on several pieces of evidence related to the case.
Sheriff Ramirez expressed gratitude for assistance from the Texas Rangers, DPS Crime Lab, and University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.
“This case has always been about more than just solving a crime,” Ramirez said. “It has been about giving a voice to the victim, honoring her memory, and providing hope to her family. We know that nothing can erase the pain of the past, but we pray that this step forward brings comfort as we now move into the prosecution phase.”
Gonzalez is charged with capital murder and is being held on $1 million bond.
