Mayra Velasquez, a 42-year-old real estate agent, was arrested on July 17, 2026, and is facing capital murder charges related to the 2012 stabbing death of Irasema Chavez, 32, in Arlington, Texas. Chavez was found dead in her apartment on January 20, 2012, with approximately 100 stab wounds. Investigators noted no signs of forced entry, suggesting that Chavez may have known her assailant.
Surveillance footage from the night before the murder showed an individual in baggy clothing approaching Chavez's apartment. Despite efforts to identify the individual, the case went cold until November 2024, when Arlington police sought assistance from the FBI's investigative genetic genealogy program. This led to a significant lead earlier this year, prompting detectives to gather further evidence against Velasquez.
Authorities have not disclosed the specific evidence that led to Velasquez's arrest or whether she had any prior connection to Chavez. Velasquez had been active as a real estate agent, maintaining her license with Pure Realtors LLC. Following the alleged murder, her social media accounts depicted her traveling to various international destinations, including Peru, Mexico, Paris, and London. A joint news conference by Arlington police and the FBI is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. CST to discuss the arrest.