24-year-old Texas man has been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Madeline Pantoja who disappeared last week
24-year-old Texas man has been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Madeline Pantoja after she disappeared on a night out with friends – as 100 angry protesters call for ‘justice’
- Mario Juan Chacon, 24, was arrested for the murder of Madeline Pantoja, 20
- The arrest came hours after police found Pantoja’s body near Midland, Texas
- Pantoja had been missing for nine days and was last seen on May 10
A man has been arrested for the murder of a woman in west Texas more than a week after she disappeared after a night out.
The arrest of Mario Juan Chacon, 24, on Saturday afternoon came just hours after the body of Madeline Pantoja, 20, was found in the morning, police said.
Mario Juan Chacon, Jr. is now being held without bail as of Saturday night at the Midland County Jail, according to county jail records.
Pantoja was last seen at her home around 11 p.m. on May 10, but neighbors say they heard her arguing with her ex-boyfriend hours later at 1:30 a.m.
Pantoja’s phone, wallet and dog were still in her apartment when she was reported missing on May 11.
Mario Juan Chacon, 24, is pictured after his arrest on Saturday for the murder of Madeline Pantoja, 20
Madeline Pantoja was last seen on May 10 and reported missing on May 11, sparking a frantic nine-day search
On May 20, her body was found southeast of Midland about 3 miles east of County Road 190 and County Road 1160, police said.
“About 3:30 p.m. today, detectives from the Midland Police Department arrested Mario Juan Chacon,” MPD reported Saturday.
The investigation into Pantoja’s death is ongoing and an autopsy will be conducted in Dallas County, the Midland Police Department said.
News of Pantoja’s death shocked the community, which had been trying to help with the search since her disappearance.
A Facebook page that posted “search data and info” had nearly 30,000 likes on Sunday morning.
The number of citizens who wanted to get involved in the investigation led the police to warn that criminal action would be taken against anyone who interfered.
Nevertheless, on Friday before Pantoja was found dead, Midland Mayor Lori Blong announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.
Pantoja (pictured) is said to have had a fight with her ex-boyfriend the night she disappeared
Midland police said it acidified more than 60 square miles of land during the search
“I cannot imagine the stress, anxiety and anxieties of Madeline’s family and friends as they went through this ordeal,” she said at the time.
She said there was no reason to believe there was a public threat to Midland.
Midland Police Chief Seth Herman said at Friday’s conference that his department has been working 24 hours a day since the initial report to find Pantoja.
He said officers searched about 60 square miles using drones and manned aircraft. He also said he had more than a dozen search warrants and questioned 25 people.