Missing Pieces: Suspect charged in connection with 2017 double murder

HOUSTON — Houston police mentioned a suspect has been charged in reference to the 2017 double homicide of Robert Cerda and Rachel Delarosa.

Lacking Items: Houston couple’s homicide nonetheless unsolved 3 years later

It is a case KHOU 11 Information has been following on our Lacking Items collection.

“I feel the very first thing I mentioned was, ‘Thanks, Jesus,’” Robert Cerda’s mom, Valerie Cerda, mentioned.

It’s essentially the most information she’s heard within the 4 years since her son was killed.

“I’ll miss him eternally. He’s type of my finest buddy,” Valerie Cerda mentioned.

Reward elevated to $15K for information in 2017 homicide of couple

Her son and his girlfriend had been on a date that December and had been final seen on surveillance video at a gasoline station. The couple had simply left Connie’s restaurant in Spring Department.

Robert Cerda’s physique was discovered on Bleker Avenue in Houston. Delarosa’s physique was present in Missouri Metropolis. Each had been shot to demise.

“Why? I’d prefer to know why,” Valerie Cerda mentioned.

Whereas the motive nonetheless stays a thriller, Houston police launched an image of a person now charged with aggravated kidnapping in connection to the murders. He’s 40-year-old Herbert Simon.

Court docket data present he was on parole on the time. He had been sentenced to 25 years for aggravated theft in 2004.

“He served half of his sentence … and which means on his first parole eligibility, he was launched,” mentioned Andy Kahan, with Crime Stoppers.

Whereas Simon was out on parole, he was additionally convicted for evading arrest and is now again in jail.

“From my perspective, if they’d merely denied parole … their son could be alive at the moment,” Kahan mentioned.

Valeria Cerda hoped that seeing Simon’s image will jog somebody’s reminiscence and assist piece collectively the remainder of the story about what occurred to her son and his girlfriend.

“Don’t wait till one thing like this occurs to considered one of your households after which you might be sitting the place I’m and you might be wanting folks to talk up. You don’t need to be in my footwear,” she mentioned.

The Cerda household mentioned it is not giving up till everybody concerned is held accountable. They’re hoping a $15,000 reward will assist persuade somebody to talk up.

Should you might help, name Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).