Two charged in grisly South Texas double murder

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Authorities have charged two men, Ricardo Gonzalez and Pedro Ismael Garcia, with capital murder in connection with the deaths of Mario Morales and Maria Socorro Farias, whose burned bodies were discovered in a rural area of the Rio Grande Valley last week. The victims had been shot before their vehicle was set on fire, and two witnesses have implicated the suspects in the assault and murders.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of violent crime and homicides in the South Texas region, particularly along the border area. The gruesome nature of the murders, with the victims being shot and then their bodies burned, has raised concerns about the level of brutality involved and the potential motives behind the killings.

The details

Firefighters responding to a brush fire on February 3 discovered a burned vehicle with the bodies of Morales and Farias inside. Investigators determined the victims had been shot before the vehicle was set ablaze. Witnesses Amanda Solis and Triana Marie Gonzalez told police they saw Morales being severely beaten by Gonzalez and Garcia at Gonzalez's apartment the same day. The witnesses also said the suspects told them to 'burn evidence' related to the assault. When police searched Gonzalez's apartment and Solis' car, they found ammunition matching the evidence at the crime scene.

• On February 3, 2026, firefighters responded to a brush fire and discovered the burned vehicle with the victims' bodies.
• On February 9, authorities tentatively identified the victims as Mario Morales and Maria Socorro Farias.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Authorities are awaiting DNA confirmation to officially identify the victims, and the suspects are being held without bond as the investigation continues.