A 17-year-old Texas girl, briefly the subject of an Amber Alert last week, is now in custody and facing a murder charge in the death of a man who was reported missing on earlier last month.
The man who was initially wanted for abducting Natalie Navarro is still at large and is also charged with murder in the August 29 death of Arturo Pena, 21, according to KXAS.
Pena, who was reported missing in Dallas on August 27, was found shot dead in a vehicle in Garland’s Audubon Park neighborhood.
An Amber alert was issued for Navarro late Thursday night by Dallas Police after she was last seen just after 2 p.m. that day. She was believed to be with Yordy “Jordy” Martinez, 21, and in “grave or immediate danger.” The Amber alert was cancelled at about 3:30 a.m. Friday, and Garland Police later said that she had been found safe in south Texas and was in custody.
Garland Police also announced that Navarro and Martinez were both “persons of interest” in Pena’s death, although they did not explain how they were connected.
“The reason why this happened, we’ve yet to totally determine that. We hope to get more when we talk to Natalie to see exactly what was going on if these persons knew each other, if they had a relationship, if there was a falling out,” said Garland Police Lieutenant Richard Moldonado.
Martinez remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Pena’s family told reporters they fear he may have absconded to Mexico.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Natalie Navarro and Jordy Martinez/Garland Police Department]