Two women, one man arrested after charred body found in Juárez

By Marisela Ortega / EL PASO TIMES
Posted: 04/20/2011 06:11:35 PM MDT

Two women and one man, all related, were arrested after they allegedly killed and set a man on fire Monday.

The suspects tried to cover up the homicide as an execution-style killing linked to organized crime in Juárez, state prosecutors said Wednesday.

The burned body of Juan Antonio Vera Vélez, 25, was found at a vacant lot on Cerro de la Mina and Ciénega Street in the Valle de los Olivos neighborhood, a Chihuahua attorney general's spokesman said in a statement.

According to state investigators, Vera Vélez's brother-in-law, Luis Alberto Muñiz Herrera, 28, got into a fight with the victim, authorities said.

Muñiz Herrera was upset with Vera Vélez after he allegedly beat Brenda Margarita Muñiz Herrera, 30, Muñiz Herrera¹s sister, officials said.
With the aid of his sister and his wife, Griselda Nájera EnrÃ*quez, 33, whom he allegedly threatened to keep mum about the murder, Luis Alberto Muñiz Herrera carried the body, put it in a wheelbarrow and tossed the body into a vacant lot.

Luis Alberto Muñiz Herrera and Brenda Margarita Muñiz Herrera poured gasoline over the body and set it on fire while Nájera Enriquez watched nearby.

Brenda Margarita Muñiz Herrera alleged that the deceased was her common-law husband and he used to be violent toward her and was a heavy drinker, officials said.

Last Saturday, Brenda Margarita told police that Vera Vélez threw a beer glass at her and it injured her, so she fled to her brother's home.

She also claimed that her common-law husband showed up at her brother's house to speak with her, but Luis Alberto Muñiz Herrera decided to punish his brother-in-law for hitting his sister.
All three suspects face charges of aggravated homicide.

Marisela Ortega may be reached at mortega@elpasotimes.com; 546-6077.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_17893030