Woman arrested in connection with murders of pregnant Texas teen and boyfriend
San Antonio, Texas (CNN) – A woman has been arrested in connection with the murders of a pregnant Texas teenager and her boyfriend after their bodies were found last month in a car in San Antonio, authorities said. This is the third arrest in the case.
Myrta Romanos, 47, was arrested on charges of mistreatment of a corpse, alteration, destruction or concealment of a corpse, and tampering with evidence, according to San Antonio Police Lieutenant Michelle Ramos in a press conference on Wednesday.
Ramos said police believe she is the stepmother of a 19-year-old suspect arrested earlier this month.
The bodies of Savanah Soto, 18, who was nine months pregnant, and Matthew Guerra, 22, were found, each with a gunshot wound, in a car parked near a San Antonio apartment complex on December 26, police reported.
Soto, who was past her pregnancy, was reported missing by her family when she missed an essential medical appointment, according to the Leon Valley, Texas, Police.
On Jan. 4, Christopher Preciado was arrested on suspicion of capital murder in their deaths, as well as alteration, destruction or concealment of a corpse and abuse of a corpse, Bexar County court records show.
The 19-year-old’s father, Ramon Preciado, 53, was arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse, accused of helping his son “move the bodies,” the San Antonio Police Department said in a statement on Facebook.
The arrests of the father and son occurred after San Antonio Police shared a surveillance video in which a dark-colored truck and the victims’ vehicle were seen approaching each other in the area where they were found, and walking away afterwards.
The lieutenant said Wednesday that the surveillance video also contributed to Romanos’ arrest, while information circulated on social media about the possible involvement of a third person.
The department’s forensic unit was able to “develop information” from video showing Romanos “involved” the night of the murders, according to Ramos. Romanos was seen in the dark-colored truck and returning to her house with the two suspects in the truck that night, Ramos said.
Romanos is currently being held on bail of US$1.1 million, according to magistrate records.
Mónica Guerrero, Christopher Preciado’s attorney, told CNN on Wednesday that she did not have a comment at this time. Ramón Preciado’s attorney John Kuntz told CNN on Wednesday that he no longer represents him. It is unclear if he has hired different legal representation. CNN has not been able to determine whether Romanos has an attorney.
— CNN’s Melissa Alonso and Nouran Salahieh contributed to this report.