Mother to son's killers: 'I hope they rot in hell'

19-year-old Steven Rendon's body found in cornfield

SAN ANTONIO – Seated in her wheelchair on the porch of her South Side home, Cathy Chavez lashed out at whoever killed her 19-year-old son Steven Rendon.

"I swear to God, I hope they rot in hell," Chavez said.

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The Bexar County Sheriff's Office reports finding Rendon's decomposed body Monday in a cornfield near Old Corpus Christi Road and Highway 181.

Investigators said the Bexar County Medical Examiner later determined the teenager had been shot in the neck.

"My son didn't deserve to go through any of this, not at all," his mother said.

Rendon had just graduated from Harlandale High School where his mom said he was a standout in the drum line of the Harlandale High School marching band. He also had enrolled in a nearby vocational-technical school, working to receive his certificate in December as an automotive technician.

"God blessed me with the most beautiful son. That's why we're all confused," she said.

Chavez said her son's world revolved around their home, going to school and his Xbox. She also said family and friends knew her son as quiet, kindhearted, and fun to be around.

"No gangs, he didn't drink, he didn't smoke, he didn't do anything," Chavez said.

Chavez, a single mother, said her son was devoted to her, especially after arthritis left her in a wheelchair.

"He never complained about taking care of me," Chavez said. "Any parent would have been so happy to have a relationship like that."

Chavez said the last time she heard from him was last Wednesday when Rendon told her that he was going to friend's house.

Then came a brief overnight text telling his mother that he would be late coming home: "I'm going to turn off my phone. I love you."  

Chavez said she found out later Rendon had not been at a friend's house, but she doesn't know who he was with that night.

Days passed before Rendon's body was found and identified.

"I don't know what to do without him. I really don't know," his mother said as broke down in tears.


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.