Hero stepdad killed while protecting teen stepdaughter from her alleged stalker: ‘He died in her hands’
A heroic stepfather saved his teenage stepdaughter’s life from her alleged stalker, but ultimately paid with his own life.
Osvaldo Casas, a 37-year-old father of two, was murdered in Houston, Texas in early August, with police believing the teen’s alleged stalker was responsible for his murder.
Two months after the murder, Cristian Gasca Martinez, 17, was arrested last week and charged with murder by Houston police.
Prosecutors allege the teen stalked Casas’ 16-year-old stepdaughter and eventually shot Casas “in retaliation for being rejected by her.”
Osvaldo Casas was murdered in August after his departed teenage daughter allegedly had a stalker who felt ‘rejected’ by her. He is depicted next to his two daughters and pregnant wife Judith
Two months after the murder, Cristian Gasca Martinez, 17, left, was arrested last week and charged by Houston police with the murder of Osvaldo Casas, 37, right
Wife, Judith Molina, performed CPR on her husband, Osvaldo Casas, but he was too badly injured
Martinez is currently being held in the Harris County Jail on a $200,000 bond and will appear in court later on Monday.
Just a day before the murder, the Casas family’s car was vandalized after being pelted with eggs and flour.
Even neighbors became suspicious when they saw a black SUV or truck driving slowly through the neighborhood.
When Casas saw the car exploring the family home just after midnight on August 10, he left his house to talk to the driver in person, but was shot dead by the suspect.
Surveillance footage shows Casas running down the street and then stumbling after being shot
Police arrived quickly after the shooting in August, but nothing could be done
Casas was described as a loving father to his two daughters, ages 8 and 16
The family welcomed a baby boy thirteen days after Casas’ murder
Surveillance footage shows Casas running down the street but stumbling after being shot while trying to return to his home.
Casas’ injuries proved fatal when he collapsed on the path to his home and died in the arms of his pregnant wife, Judith Molina, who desperately performed CPR as she tried to save his life.
By the time paramedics arrived on the scene, the loving father was already dead after being shot multiple times.
βHe died in her hands,β said Blanca Aguirre, the Casas’ mother KHOU.
His wife also paid tribute to her husband at a GoFundMe page that has raised nearly $30,000 to help the family.
‘Osvaldo was a man of deep love and kindness. He was loved by so many in our community and never hesitated to lend a helping hand,β she wrote.
His wife later gave birth to a baby boy less than two weeks later.