Prominent Texas lawyer killed by his wife in murder-suicide

Texas attorney Jerry Hernandez, 61, and his 52-year-old wife, Sonia Hernandez, were found dead in their $1.6 million luxury mansion in Shavano Park, just outside downtown San Antonio, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, shortly after authorities responded to calls of gunshots from nearby residents.

Her death is ruled a murder-suicide. Sonia shot Jerry and then took her own life. The couple leaves behind a college-age daughter.

Hernandez was named one of the best personal injury lawyers by SA Scene magazine in 2017 and has been practicing law since 1988. Sonia was the owner of a beauty boutique.

Police have not yet released any further details about her death, but said they are no longer looking for anyone else involved in the tragic incident.

In 2022, well over 2,000 people died of murder-suicide in Texas. According to the CDC, Texas and California have the highest murder-suicide rates in the United States. For more statistics on murder-suicide rates in the United States, click here for a full report.

Please do not hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 if help with any of the issues mentioned in this story could benefit your own life.

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