‘I nearly collapsed’: Texas mother said she learned of suspects confession in her son’s 2013 murder while grocery shopping

PASADENA, Texas – A 32-year-old Pasadena man is accused of capital homicide in a case almost 10 years outdated.

Pasadena police say Benjamin Reyes walked into the police station over the weekend and confessed to the July 4, 2013 killing of Julian Maldonado.

“It by no means leaves you, that hope,” Maldonado’s mom, Evangelina Murn, stated. “My inside intestine all the time stated ultimately I do know I’m going to get that decision.”

She spoke to her solely youngster within the hours earlier than he was killed, planning for Independence Day weekend. Her son was at residence alone.

“He was in his personal home minding his personal enterprise,” Murn stated. “He wasn’t harming anyone.”

There have been no indicators of compelled entry, she stated, however he was useless from a bullet to the again of his head. For years, she’s questioned varied situations.

“I used to be completely horrified,” Murn stated.

She maintained hope into 2014 when the Crime Stoppers reward elevated to $10,000, however that didn’t end in any new leads.

The case went chilly till 2019 when the Pasadena Police Division re-opened it and named Reyes as an individual of curiosity.

“By no means heard of him, by no means seen him,” Murn stated.

Pasadena police arrested Reyes for legal trespass final August. He pled responsible and served his time, however they by no means had sufficient proof to cost him in Maldonado’s homicide.

Reyes walked into the Pasadena police station on Sunday and confessed, allegedly telling detectives he shot Maldonado after stealing $500 and a few capsules.

Murn lastly bought the decision she hoped for whereas grocery buying the identical day.

“I almost collapsed,” she stated. “And I began shaking.”

Whereas it’s a way of reduction, it doesn’t resolve her heartache.

“To me, that day is day-after-day. The ache by no means goes away,” she stated.

Reyes is being held within the Harris County Jail and his bond was denied. He’s due again in court docket on Thursday.