Background: An apartment building in the Carrollton, Texas, neighborhood where Karla Rangel was found dead on March 18 (Google Maps). Inset: Francisco Mendez-Marin (Dallas County Sheriff”s Office).
Francisco Mendez-Marin, age 23, now faces murder charges following the fatal stabbing of his 20-year-old wife, Karla Rangel, in their shared apartment on March 18. According to an affidavit acquired by Fox affiliate KDFW, officers from the Carrollton Police Department responded to a disturbance call at an apartment complex early that morning at 4:40 a.m.
Upon entering the apartment, police discovered Mendez-Marin, drenched in blood, alongside another unnamed individual. Tragically, they also found Rangel, who was unresponsive with a severe neck wound, the couple having been married for only a few weeks.
The affidavit reveals that Mendez-Marin claimed to officers he hadn’t done “anything bad.” Inside the apartment, police found a blood-stained pocketknife. Body camera footage recorded Mendez-Marin speaking in Spanish, stating, “I was obligated to do it.” He was promptly arrested and taken to Carrollton City Jail.
Rangel was pronounced dead at the scene. Details regarding the third individual present at the time have not been disclosed.
Rangel was pronounced dead at the scene. More information about the third person was not made available.
Police said the alleged killing stemmed from a domestic incident that escalated. According to the affidavit, officers found a marriage license that stated Mendez-Marin and Rangel had been married on Feb. 26.
Mendez-Marin was charged with murder and was transferred to the Dallas County Jail, where he is being held without bond. His next court date was not made publicly available.
