Man arrested, charged with murder in connection with wife’s disappearance in 2019

Reyes Gallegos arrested without incident; Cecilia Huertas Gallegos, 31, last seen on July 7, 2019

SAN ANTONO – A 37-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the disappearance of his wife in 2019.

Reyes Gallegos was arrested without incident during a traffic stop on the city’s West Side, Officer Alisia Pruneda, a San Antonio Police Department spokeswoman, said.

Gallegos repeatedly told reporters that he was innocent and that his children “know what the truth is” as he was transported from Public Safety Headquarters to the Magistrate’s Office, where he will be formally charged with murder.

An affidavit revealed what happened days before the murder of Cecilia Huertas Gallegos. The document marked the beginning of this case as June 22, 2019.

Cecilia Huertas Gallegos was last seen on July 7, 2019. (KSAT)

Police say Gallegos went to his wife’s work and confronted one of her co-workers, even punching the man in the face. Investigators say Huertas Gallegos tried to end the relationship with her husband that day.

Gallegos responded by pulling a gun, the affidavit said. Several more disturbances were reported to police, including another visit Gallegos made to his wife’s place of work.

On July 7, 2019, co-workers said Huertas Gallegos left to check on her children and was never seen again.

Investigators say surveillance cameras placed Huertas Gallegos at her home on Southwick Road on July 7, 2019.

The following day, officers say the surveillance cameras were shut off for more than an hour before Gallegos was seen going to his truck and leaving. Police say he returned with two shovels, contractor-duty trash bags, a chainsaw, and cleaning supplies.

Reyes Gallegos was then arrested for filing a false police report. The case on the false report was closed last year.

Numerous efforts were made to find Huertas Gallegos, but her body has never been found.

WATCH: Perp Walk Video

Related stories:


About the Author:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.