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A man was arrested Wednesday in connection to the slaying of a missing Dallas ISD teacher’s assistant, police said.
Mesquite police arrested 34-year-old Sixto Banegas Matute, of Balch Springs, on a murder charge in connection with the slaying of 24-year-old Jennifer Mendez Olascoaga, whose remains were discovered about a mile from where family members found her abandoned car.
Banegas was booked into the Mesquite jail and his bail was set at $1 million, according to online records. It is unclear if he has an attorney.
Mesquite police responded Oct. 12 to an area near Interstate 20 and Lawson Road to investigate the discovery of human remains. Seagoville police called authorities after finding the remains within the Mesquite city limits while searching a wooded area.
The Dallas County medical examiner’s office later identified the remains as belonging to Mendez and ruled her death a homicide, Mesquite police said.
Detectives conducted an “extensive investigation” and identified Banegas as a suspect, police said, leading to his arrest.
Mesquite police did not say how Mendez is believed to have died or release any additional details about their investigation Thursday, including what led to Banegas being identified as a suspect.
Mendez was missing for more than two weeks. Authorities said family members filed a missing-persons report with Dallas police on Sept. 28, but they were referred to the Seagoville department after authorities learned that’s where she was last seen.
Seagoville police said a friend of Mendez received text messages that could signal foul play. Her family members, who saw the messages, told KXAS-TV (NBC5) they said, “You’ll never find her. She’s gone.”
NBC5 reported that the number was not traceable.
Mendez, who was a teacher’s assistant for Dallas ISD, did not show up to work and family members said her disappearance was surprising behavior, police said.
Her car was found abandoned by her family near the intersection of Lawson and Milam roads in Mesquite.
The investigation remains ongoing.