Thread: Man charged with murder in girlfriend's death | Sandra De La Cruz

Man arrested, charged with murder in girlfriend's 2020 stabbing death

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/man...-in-georgetown

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by Tara Brolley
Tue, November 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Updated Wed, November 19, 2025 at 8:44 AM



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A man was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the 2020 death of his girlfriend in Georgetown, according to the U.S. Marshals. (Photo: U.S. Marshals)

• TOPICS:

• MURDER
• STABBING
• ARREST
• GEORGETOWN
• HERNAN PEREZ JUAREZ
• SANDRA DE LA CRUZ
• U.S. MARSHALS
• IMMIGRATION

TEMPLE, Texas — A man was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the 2020 death of his girlfriend in Georgetown, according to the U.S. Marshals.

Hernan Perez Juarez, 41, also known as "Patricio Perez," was arrested Monday in the 700 block of South Fourth Street in Temple by the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.

Sandra De La Cruz was found stabbed to death in the bathtub of her apartment in the 2200 block of Tower Drive in Georgetown on May 10, 2020, according to an arrest affidavit.

The affidavit says Georgetown police responded to a welfare check at the residence and found De La Cruz deceased with a deep laceration to her lower abdomen. An autopsy determined she had been stabbed eight times.

A witness told police De La Cruz had gotten into an argument with Perez Juarez two days before she was found dead, the affidavit said.

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"Affiant and Crime Scene Technicians located handwritten letters were discovered taped on the bathroom and master bedroom mirrors which described an argument that occurred "yesterday" about possibly breaking up a relationship. From the content of the letters, Affiant believes that Sandra and Hernan argued about ending their relationship prior to her death," the affidavit said.

Investigators found Perez Juarez's vehicle, a blue Ford F150, abandoned in Laredo near the U.S.-Mexico border. The Georgetown Police Department requested assistance from the task force after suspecting Perez Juarez had fled to Mexico.

Task force members developed information this month indicating he had returned to the U.S. illegally, the U.S. Marshals said.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Perez Juarez was deported in 2018 for an immigration violation and had no legal status in the U.S. ICE has filed an immigration detainer following the criminal proceedings, according to the U.S. Marshals.

Perez Juarez was transported to the Williamson County Jail.