Investigators identify suspect in 2005 cold case death of pregnant woman found beaten, strangled
09/03/2025 3:07 pm PDT
COTULLA, Texas (TCN) -- A 66-year-old man stands accused of killing a pregnant woman whose remains were found at a cemetery nearly two decades ago.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said that on July 19, 2005, Valerie Laguna's body was located at the Cristo Rey Cemetery with signs of sexual assault, beating, and strangulation. She was around eight months pregnant at the time, and her unborn child also died.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Laguna died of blunt force trauma to the head.
Investigators spoke with multiple witnesses and collected DNA samples from different people. Saul Gonzalez was reportedly identified as a possible suspect early on in the case, but there were no major breaks.
In 2020, the La Salle County Sheriff's Office sent in pieces of evidence to Bode Technology, and DNA profiles were obtained. Bode Technology further tested evidence and through DNA comparisons, authorities found Gonzalez's DNA on evidentiary items.
On Aug. 29, a grand jury indicted Gonzalez for capital murder. He was arrested and booked into the La Salle County Jail.
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