San Antonio man charged with wife’s 1999 murder gets 20-year sentence in plea deal Roy Hernandez was arrested in 2017 after enough evidence was collected to indict him
A 24-year-old murder case has come to an end after a San Antonio man took a plea deal.
Roy Hernandez was arrested and indicted in 2017 for the 1999 murder of his wife Dedra Salinas.
Salinas disappeared in 1999 but investigators did not find her body until six years later.
Her remains were found underneath a makeshift concrete slab in the backyard of the couple’s South Side home.
According to San Antonio police, Hernandez denied any wrongdoing in the years that followed but also made several inconsistent statements about Salinas.
The district attorney’s office continued to investigate and eventually mounted enough evidence to convince a grand jury to indict Hernandez in 2017 .
Hernandez was expected to go to trial in 2022, but he was diagnosed with cancer and the case was reset.
On Friday, Hernandez accepted a 20-year sentence in a plea deal on the murder charge.
He must serve half before he is eligible for parole.
KSAT 12 reached out to the District Attorney’s Office for comment but has yet to hear back.
Related: Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Author Erica Hernandez headshot
Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.
Caught on camera: Shootout between man, BCSO deputies leaves neighborhood shocked ▶ 1:57
Caught on camera: Shootout between man, BCSO deputies leaves neighborhood shocked
San Antonio police urge reporting of minor porch thefts ▶ 1:18
San Antonio police urge reporting of minor porch thefts
Shoplifter charged with attempted murder after pointing gun at officer ▶ 1:04
Shoplifter charged with attempted murder after pointing gun at officer
Woman becomes first wheelchair user to travel to space ▶ 0:45
Woman becomes first wheelchair user to travel to space
Gibson Costume Shop, a 100-year-old San Antonio staple, to begin liquidation sales in January ▶ 1:06
Gibson Costume Shop, a 100-year-old San Antonio staple, to begin liquidation sales in January
2 deputies fatally shoot man after he fires at them during domestic disturbance call, BCSO says ▶ 0:58
2 deputies fatally shoot man after he fires at them during domestic disturbance call, BCSO says
What parents can do to help children stay safe online ▶ 0:56
What parents can do to help children stay safe online
Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ 🐾 ▶ 0:57
Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ 🐾
What to know about holiday travel as AAA projects new record ▶ 0:53
What to know about holiday travel as AAA projects new record
Steele High School student conductor reimagines 'Joy to the World' ▶ 1:51
Steele High School student conductor reimagines 'Joy to the World'
Service members traveling through San Antonio International for the holidays ▶ 1:08
Service members traveling through San Antonio International for the holidays
Salvation Army helps thousands of San Antonio children through Angel Tree program ▶ 0:56
Salvation Army helps thousands of San Antonio children through Angel Tree program
Scams targeting San Antonio seniors on the rise, SAPD says ▶ 0:50
Scams targeting San Antonio seniors on the rise, SAPD says
West Side neighbors rally to replace stolen Christmas tree ▶ 1:52
West Side neighbors rally to replace stolen Christmas tree
Outgoing North East ISD superintendent discusses timing of departure, district’s challenges ahead ▶ 1:14
Outgoing North East ISD superintendent discusses timing of departure, district’s challenges ahead
Atascosa County Sheriff's Office vehicle struck during traffic stop ▶ 0:20
Atascosa County Sheriff's Office vehicle struck during traffic stop
H-E-B, Meals on Wheels preparing for 33rd annual Feast of Sharing this weekend ▶ 1:00
H-E-B, Meals on Wheels preparing for 33rd annual Feast of Sharing this weekend
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County faces delays to repair 12 homes by year’s end ▶ 1:16
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County faces delays to repair 12 homes by year’s end
San Antonio man has reunited more than 200 people with lost class rings nationwide ▶ 1:18
San Antonio man has reunited more than 200 people with lost class rings nationwide
Local businesses launch donation drive for South Side family after fatal crash ▶ 0:45
Local businesses launch donation drive for South Side family after fatal crash
Hill Country camps add flood-warning towers months after deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:14
Hill Country camps add flood-warning towers months after deadly July 4 floods
Suspected thief stole more than $200K in jewelry from San Antonio businesses, police say ▶ 0:50
Suspected thief stole more than $200K in jewelry from San Antonio businesses, police say
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM ▶ 1:55
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD ▶ 0:20
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says ▶ 1:46
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says
Previous photo Next photo