Boyfriend Accused of Killing Girlfriend Found Dead in Trunk Because ‘She Broke Up With Him in the Past': Cops
Ariel Cruz arrested for the murder of his 21-year-old girlfriend, police said.
Nov. 30 2023, Published 3:00 p.m. ET
The family of a missing Texas college student found her dead body in the trunk of her car, and now police allege her boyfriend, who was at the scene consoling her loved ones, has been arrested in connection with her murder, RadarOnline.com has learned.
According to Houston police, 21-year-old Idania Campos was last seen at 7 a.m. on Nov. 28, and her mother last spoke with her around 8:20 a.m. the same day, as Front Page Detectives reported.
A missing Houston woman's boyfriend arrested after she was found dead in her trunk, officials said.
The family tracked her phone to a residential street in Meyerland and located her locked car, Campos’ phone and other belongings inside, according to the Houston Police Department.
After searching the area and finding no sign of Campos, family contacted police to report her missing, authorities said.
The family reported her missing to cops after she didn't show up to school, officials said.
Officers responded to the scene and took a report and declined to open the vehicle since it appeared secure.
The victim’s family remained at the scene with Campos’ boyfriend, 19-year-old Ariel Cruz, was also at the scene while they searched for her, according to police.
An investigation into Zeigler is still unfolding.
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Around 5:40 p.m., the victim’s father broke the car window and the family opened the trunk and found Campos unresponsive inside, officials said.
Campos was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said she had signs of trauma to her face.
Investigators identified Cruz as a suspect in the case. When detectives interviewed him, he allegedly confessed to his role in his girlfriend’s death, authorities alleged.
Officials said no shell casings were found at the scene where Campos was found.
The victim was reportedly shot to death and court documents claim Cruz allegedly killed her “because she broke up with him in the past,” ABC News reported.
Cruz, who was arrested and charged with murder, was being held on a $600,000 bond, according to officials.
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“It’s very devastating for the family," HPD Lt. Larry Crowson told KHOU. "They discovered the body in the trunk. It’s a very devastating thing for them.”
The investigation continues, but officials said no shell casings were found at the scene.
HPD Lt. Alias Smith believes Campos was killed at a separate location and then left in her car on Indigo Street, which is about 30 minutes away from where the victim's family lives, KTRK reported.