Man Charged with Murder, Claims Santa Muerte Told Him to Kill

Aaron Arocha, 21, arrested for shooting death of Sheri Tolosa, 44, at San Antonio home

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:20pm

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San Antonio police have arrested 21-year-old Aaron Arocha and charged him with murder in the shooting death of Sheri Tolosa, 44, at a home on the city's Northwest Side. Arocha told police that the folk saint Santa Muerte instructed him to kill Tolosa, though investigators have not determined a clear motive for the crime.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complex role of Santa Muerte, an unofficial folk saint often associated with organized crime, but also with those feeling marginalized by society and traditional religion. Experts note Santa Muerte worship is more nuanced than just criminal activity.

The details

According to the arrest affidavit, Arocha's aunt and another relative told police that Arocha had admitted to shooting someone at the home. When officers returned to the home, they found Tolosa dead in the kitchen with multiple gunshot wounds. Police recovered five shell casings, indicating Tolosa appeared to be running from Arocha starting in the dining room. Arocha was later arrested in Houston and claimed in an interview that Santa Muerte told him to kill Tolosa, though he said Tolosa did not do anything to warrant her death.

  • On Monday, April 15, officers first responded to the home but did not find any activity requiring a forced entry.
  • Just after 12:30 p.m. on April 15, the niece of the original 911 caller asked police to return to the home.
  • When they entered, officers found Tolosa dead in the kitchen.
  • Arocha was arrested on Tuesday, April 16, on unrelated charges.
  • Arocha is expected back in court on July 14.

The players

Aaron Arocha

A 21-year-old San Antonio resident who has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Sheri Tolosa.

Sheri Tolosa

A 44-year-old woman who was shot and killed inside a home on the Northwest Side of San Antonio.

Dr. Malgorzata Oleszkiewicz-Peralba

A University of Texas at San Antonio professor of Latin American Literary and Cultural Studies who provided context on the complex role of Santa Muerte.

Dr. Sean Viña

A sociology professor at the University of the Incarnate Word who highlighted that those associated with Santa Muerte are not exclusively involved in illicit activity.

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What they’re saying

“This is not the whole story. I think the majority (of it) is because of lack of social justice and feeling of abandonment and that people look for her.”

— Dr. Malgorzata Oleszkiewicz-Peralba, University of Texas at San Antonio professor of Latin American Literary and Cultural Studies

“Catholicism does not condone Santa Muerte nor does it recognize Santa Muerte as a saint.”

— Dr. Sean Viña, Sociology professor, University of the Incarnate Word

What’s next

Arocha is expected back in court on July 14 for a hearing related to the murder charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex role of Santa Muerte, an unofficial folk saint often associated with organized crime, but also with those feeling marginalized by society and traditional religion. Experts note Santa Muerte worship is more nuanced than just criminal activity, and the suspect's claim that Santa Muerte instructed him to kill raises questions about the motivations behind this tragic crime.