SAN ANTONIO – A man charged with capital murder in connection with the sexual assault and strangulation of a teen girl has now been charged with murder in the death of a 29-year-old woman, San Antonio police announced Friday.
Police said as a result of further investigation, Johnny Joe Avalos, 28, was charged with murder in the death of Celia Lopez, 29. He was already in jail on a capital murder charge in the death of Natalie Chavez, 15.
Avalos was arrested April 21 on a charge of sexual assault of a child based on DNA evidence found on the Chavez's body.
Chavez (pictured below) was found dead Dec. 18 under a west side bridge near the intersection of Vera Cruz and Nueva Leon Street.
The teen was naked and had been strangled. According to an arrest affidavit, Avalos told investigators he had sex with Chavez for a "predetermined amount of money." Avalos said he was not aware of Chavez's age.