A Texas man who pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of his young wife has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Jared James Dicus, 23, was given a lengthy sentence by District Judge Gary Chaney after he confessed to police last year to beheading his wife of less than four months, 21-year-old Anggy Diaz.
As part of Dicus’s plea agreement, he waived all rights to appeal the verdict or sentence.
He was sentenced during a preliminary hearing focused on his mental capacity. After a court-ordered evaluation of his mental capacity was completed, he was deemed fit to stand trial, the Waller County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Dicus and Diaz got married in October 2022, but their wedding ended in complete horror.
This is Anggy Diaz and Jared Dicus on their wedding day in October. Dicus murdered Diaz sometime on January 11, 2023. After pleading guilty to the brutal crime, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison
Dicus will not be able to appeal his sentence or conviction in any way, as stipulated in his plea agreement with the Waller County District Attorney.
Diaz’s dismembered head was found in the couple’s cottage, which was located on Dicus’s parents’ property
On January 11, 2023, Dicus’s parents called 911 to report that they had found Diaz’s mutilated body in a small cabin the couple lived in behind their home near Magnolia, Texas, a city about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Houston.
Officers from the Waller County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene and made a gruesome discovery.
Diaz was found in a pool of blood next to the bed. Investigators noted that she had suffered multiple stab wounds to her back with a kitchen knife, according to court documents obtained by FOX 26 Houston.
Those documents also revealed that Diaz’s head had been severed from her body and found in the shower.
“Everything happened on the property. And all the parts and pieces were recovered and submitted into evidence,” Sheriff Troy Guidry said.
The Public Prosecution Service and the police were given a unique insight into the mental state of Dicus, who was captured on surveillance footage while stealing a beer from the supermarket where his wife worked.
It appears he did this just hours after he murdered and dismembered her.
Surveillance footage shows Dicus calmly entering the store where she worked, just hours after he murdered his wife
The camera shows Dicus taking a beer from the fridge and walking towards the exit
Dicus then calmly walks past the counter and leaves the store
Dicus is then seen drinking a drink in the parking lot, while being captured on camera
The video footage was taken at the Chepes Meat Market and shows Dicus’ car arriving at around 11:40am.
He was seen wearing a T-shirt and jeans, grabbing a beer from the fridge, walking past the counter and out of the store, before taking a big swig in the parking lot.
According to Guidry, detectives were sent to the scene of the murder that same day.
Dicus’ parents told officers that their son had come inside and made a statement, prompting them to check the house, where they found Diaz’s body.
Shortly after the murder, Diaz’s friends came told KHOU-TV that she was an immigrant from Nicaragua who worked two jobs to pay for her mother’s cancer treatment at home.
Even the judge who married the couple felt the need to post a message on Facebook in memory of Diaz.
Police went to the couple’s home several times on reports of domestic violence, Sheriff Guidry said during a news conference in January.
Two months before Dicus allegedly killed his wife, he was arrested for driving under the influence. Court records show he threatened a police officer and other jail staff.
Diaz was an immigrant from Nicaragua who worked two jobs to pay for her mother’s cancer treatment at home
“Like many of you, I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear of this tragic event. My prayers are with all the families,” said Waller County Judge Trey Duhon.
“Out of respect for the families, I have removed my photo with the couple and the post announcing their marriage, mainly because some of the comments made in that post were quite insensitive,” he continued.
Just two weeks before her murder, Diaz posted a photo of herself and her husband on Christmas Day on Instagram, wishing her friends and family a “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas my beautiful wife,” Dicus commented on the post, calling his wife a “trophy.”
Her last Instagram post, in which she shared a photo of her lunch, was sent hours before investigators believe she was murdered.
In a post on her 20th birthday in October 2021, Diaz wrote, “Solo puedo dar gracias a Dios por bendecirme tanto,” which translates to “I can only thank God for his great blessings.”
In a post on her 20th birthday in October 2021, Diaz wrote, “Solo puedo dar gracias a Dios por bendecirme tanto,” which translates to “I can only thank God for the blessings He has given me.”
This is the comment Jared Dicus left on his wife’s photo of them, just two weeks before he ultimately murdered her
Diaz was only 21 years old when she died
Despite the way the couple interacted on social media, behind closed doors it became clear that their relationship was fraught with turmoil and violence.
Police have been to their properties several times in response to reports of domestic violence, Sheriff Guidry said during a press conference in January.
And two months before Dicus would kill his wife, he was arrested for driving under the influence. Court records show he threatened an officer and other prison staff.
After he punched windows in frustration, police forced him into a wheelchair.
According to prosecutor Sean Whittmore, due to the brutality of his crime, Dicus will not be eligible for parole until 2043.
If he serves his full sentence, he will be 63 years old when he is released.
“Waller County does not tolerate domestic violence. Heinous crimes like this do not go unanswered, we will seek justice for victims of domestic violence and send a message to perpetrators that we are here to fight for our victims,” Whittmore said in a statement.