Officers arrest suspect accused of stabbing ex-girlfriend and dumping her body in Brays Bayou, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and dumping her body in a bayou has been arrested.

The above video is from the previous report: Murder suspect wanted, accused of stabbing ex-girlfriend, dumping her body in bayou

According to Houston police, Oscar Daniel Vega Espinoza was taken into custody on Tuesday and booked into the Harris County Jail.

Espinoza is accused of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Ana Delarocha.

According to court documents, Delarocha was in the process of leaving Espinoza after years of abuse. Delarocha was reportedly last seen on August 15 after she sought refuge from him in a safe place.

Records show Delarocha arranged to meet Espinoza to pick up money and a vacuum cleaner, but she never returned. The Houston Area Women's Center said money is a common tool abusers use to try to exert control over their victims.

On August 17, Delarocha's body was found in an advanced stage of decomposition in Brays Bayou near Hockley Street, officials said, adding that she had a stab wound to the chest.

Surveillance video from the night of Delarocha's disappearance shows her getting into what officers believe to be Espinoza's vehicle.

A few days later, on Aug. 18, officers responded to a welfare check at an apartment complex to determine if Espinoza had Delarocha with him. After failing to make contact with him, officers noticed that a passenger seat was missing from Espinoza's vehicle, according to records.

Further investigation led authorities to charge Espinoza with murder.

If you or a loved one is ever a victim of domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. You can also contact the Houston Area Women's Center at 713-528-2121.