A man from Texas is accused of taking his wife’s life just weeks after their marriage, reportedly telling officers he felt “compelled to do it.”
Francisco Mendez-Marin, 23, is charged with murder following the discovery of Karla Rangel’s body at an apartment on Metrocrest Drive in Carrollton on March 18, as detailed in an affidavit obtained by Oxygen.
Authorities were dispatched to the residence around 4:40 a.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance at the location.
The affidavit mentions, “A 911 caller reported hearing someone scream for help and noises resembling wood breaking inside the apartment.”
Upon arrival, officers found Rangel lying in “a pool of blood,” unresponsive, with a wound to her throat, according to the affidavit.
Mendez-Marin, covered in blood and bearing scratches on his arms, throat, and chest, was found descending the stairs from the apartment, as per authorities. Another man was discovered inside the apartment.
Mendez-Marin was carrying a “bloody pocketknife” and razor blade in the pocket of his pants, according to the court records. He was arrested at the scene and taken to the Dallas County jail, where he’s currently being held without bond, according to jail records reviewed by Oxygen.
Body camera footage allegedly captured Mendez-Marin at the scene telling the officers in Spanish, “I was obligated to do it” and insisting that, per an affidavit obtained by the news outlet, he “didn’t do anything bad.”
Police believe Mendez-Marin killed his new bride during a domestic dispute that turned deadly, according to the affidavit.
Investigators also found a marriage license inside the home, which showed the couple had been married on Feb. 26, per the affidavit.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office has listed the 20-year-old’s death as a homicide, according to records reviewed by Oxygen.
Oxygen reached to the Carrollton Police for additional comment, but did not receive an immediate reply.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the case to Oxygen. Oxygen.com also reached out to Mendez-Marin’s attorney Alexandria Cazares Perez, but did not receive an immediate response.
