The main suspect in a murder case in the Houston area, Jhon Venegas Romero, was found dead by law enforcement officers on Friday. He was discovered in the town of Needville after deputies from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office received a report about a person seen hanging. Romero was suspected of stabbing his wife, 23-year-old Anyi Tatiana Montealegre Izquierdo, to death on October 14 in their home in nearby Richmond. The location where Romero was found is approximately two miles away from where he was last seen alive, according to deputies.
Romero’s body was identified based on his clothing, tattoos, and a passport that was found. Investigators mentioned that the clothes he was wearing when he was last captured on surveillance footage on October 14 matched what he had on his body when found. Sheriff Eric Fagan stated, “While a thorough investigation is underway to ensure all protocols are followed, this appears to be a suicide. Our deepest condolences go out to all families affected by this tragedy.”
During the search for Romero, Izquierdo’s family revealed to KHOU that Romero grew up in a jungle in Colombia and likely possessed survival skills to evade capture in rural areas like the one southwest of Houston. They were concerned that Romero might harm someone else if he wasn’t apprehended. Izquierdo’s cousins mentioned that they often had to intervene when the couple fought constantly after moving to the U.S. They also disclosed that Romero had attempted to kill Izquierdo when they lived in Colombia. Izquierdo moved to the U.S. with Romero to earn money for their family and the child they left behind in Colombia.
The Colombian Consulate General, Andres Diaz, expressed his regret over Romero’s death, stating that he would have preferred Romero to surrender to the authorities and face justice. Izquierdo’s family expressed their desire for her body to be repatriated to Colombia, a process that Diaz mentioned could take several weeks due to the ongoing investigation. The consulate is also covering the costs of the funeral services for Izquierdo.
Diaz acknowledged the tragic end of what was supposed to be an American dream for Izquierdo, stating, “Unfortunately this American dream ended really bad for this girl, and we are very apologetic.” The consulate is supporting the repatriation process and funeral arrangements for Izquierdo while the investigation continues.
As the community mourns the loss of both Izquierdo and Romero, the case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in such situations. It also highlights the complexities of immigration, relationships, and the consequences of violence that transcend borders. The Colombian community in Houston and beyond is left grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, hoping for justice and healing for all involved.
