A Texas real estate agent has been arrested in connection with the 2012 killing of an Arlington woman after investigators say advances in forensic technology helped solve the long-unsolved case.
Mayra Velasquez, 42, was arrested last week and charged with capital murder in the January 20, 2012, death of 32-year-old Irasema Chavez, according to the Arlington Police Department. Velasquez, who was 27 at the time of the crime, was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Tarrant County Jail after being denied bond.
Police allege Chavez was stabbed approximately 100 times inside her apartment.
Victim Found Dead Inside Apartment
According to investigators, Chavez was discovered dead inside her Arlington apartment on Jan. 20, 2012, after suffering multiple stab wounds.
Her teenage niece, Linda Yesenia Valdez, later described the traumatic moment she found her aunt’s body. She recalled seeing blood throughout the apartment, including on the walls, before finding Chavez lying face down.
The brutal killing launched an extensive homicide investigation, but despite years of investigative work, detectives were initially unable to identify a suspect.
Surveillance Video Captured Woman Approaching Home
Police said surveillance footage recorded a woman wearing a baseball cap and hooded sweatshirt approaching Chavez’s apartment shortly before the fatal attack.
The video was released publicly in August 2012 in hopes that someone would recognize the individual. However, because the footage showed only side and rear views, investigators were unable to identify the suspect at the time.
Authorities now allege the woman shown in that surveillance video was Velasquez.
DNA Evidence Helped Revive Investigation
During the original investigation, detectives recovered a single drop of blood from a nightstand inside Chavez’s apartment.
According to police, forensic testing determined the blood belonged to an unknown female who had no known relationship to Chavez.
Years later, in November 2024, Arlington homicide investigators partnered with the FBI’s Dallas Field Office to determine whether the case could benefit from the agency’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Program.
Police said the collaboration resulted in a major breakthrough earlier this year, eventually leading investigators to identify Velasquez as the suspect.
Authorities have not yet explained the exact relationship, if any, between Velasquez and Chavez or disclosed a possible motive for the killing.
Arrest Made More Than 13 Years Later
Following the renewed investigation, Arlington police arrested Velasquez on a charge of capital murder.
Officials have scheduled a joint news conference with the FBI to discuss the investigation and explain how genetic genealogy contributed to solving the cold case.
Former Colleagues Express Shock
People who knew Velasquez through her real estate career said they were stunned by the allegations.
A fellow real estate agent who worked with Velasquez between 2022 and 2023 described her as kind, outgoing, family-oriented, and helpful, saying she never expected her to be connected to such a violent crime.
The colleague recalled conversations about Velasquez’s frequent international travel. According to her, Velasquez said she visited family overseas and that she and her husband also earned income by flipping homes and operating other businesses.
Social Media Showed Years of Travel and Career Success
Investigators noted that Velasquez continued building her life after the 2012 homicide.
Her public social media accounts reportedly documented years of travel to destinations including Dubai, Paris, London, Spain, Jamaica, Colombia, Bolivia, Cozumel, Disney World, and New York City.
The accounts also showed photographs celebrating professional achievements in real estate and documented that she became a mother a little more than a year after Chavez’s death.
According to local reports, Velasquez works as a licensed real estate agent with Pure Realtors, LLC, and her real estate license remained active as of Monday.
Investigation Continues
While Velasquez has now been charged with capital murder, investigators have not publicly revealed what they believe motivated the fatal stabbing or how the suspect and victim may have been connected.
Police say additional information about the investigation and the forensic evidence that led to the arrest is expected to be released during an upcoming joint briefing with the FBI.
Velasquez remains in custody at the Tarrant County Jail as the capital murder case proceeds through the Texas court system.
