SAN ANTONIO – Rafael Hernandez was reportedly last seen in San Antonio Aug. 21, 2011. A woman said he asked for a ride to a Greyhound bus terminal so he could catch a ride to Laredo for a job. Police believe he was getting out of town to avoid being charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend.
Hernandez, 41, was arrested in Nuevo Laredo last week. He was handed over to Webb County authorities before being brought back to San Antonio to face charges.
A police affidavit said a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from an abandoned car. Police determined the car belonged to Maria Teresa Leon. She had been recently reporting missing.
Police saw blood, opened the trunk and found Leon's body. The medical examiner said she had been stabbed five times.
One woman told police she had been with Leon the night of Aug. 21, 2011, at a night club. She said Hernandez showed up and argued with Leon. The three left the bar together, with Leon dropping off her friend first.
The next day, another woman told police Hernandez showed up at her home. She said Hernandez was drunk and wanted a ride to catch a bus. That was the last time that woman saw Hernandez.
With him out of town, police said they traced Hernandez's palm print to one found on Leon's car. They also tested blood in the car and DNA under Leon's fingernails. Police said that evidence was traced to Hernandez.
The warrant for Hernandez's arrest was issued in Sep. 2013. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail Tuesday. He's being held without bond on charges of murder, burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault. He's also facing two counts of his second offense of assault on a family member.