Police say burned body believed to be missing Texas girl, Moriah Gonzalez

A severely burned body found in Texas is believed to be a missing 15-year-old girl, authorities said.
A passerby discovered the body at around 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Police said Thursday they believe the body belongs to Moriah Gonzales, of Waxahachie, who was reported missing last week, Fox affiliate KDFW-TV reported.
Police have issued arrest warrants for two people in connection with the girl's death, while they wait for a positive identification to be made by the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office.
The suspects, Jose Alvarado and Jennifer Puente, were last seen driving a dark colored 1994 Oldsmobile Bravada SUV with the Texas license plate BS6R394.
Both are considered armed and dangerous, according to the station.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the crime is encouraged to call the Ennis Police Department at 972-875-4462.


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Suspect in murder of Ennis teen nabbed in Grand Prairie


Posted on March 25, 2012
GRAND PRAIRIE - Police arrested Jose Manuel Alvarado in Grand Prairie on Saturday night after tracking down his vehicle early Friday morning.
The 29-year-old is charged with the murder of 15-year-old Moriah Gonzales, whose burned body was found along Knighthurst Road in Ennis on March 17.
A second suspect in the crime, Jennifer Samantha Puente, 18, remains on the loose. Police believe she may have cut her hair and dyed it dark blonde.
More than 100 people took part in a vigil on Saturday night to remember the slain teenager. Moriah's family said they want her killers to see justice.
"She whad so much to say, so much charisma," said her distraught father, Robert Gonzalez. "I have no words other than to say I miss her and I love my baby and I miss her a lot."

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Moriah Gonzalez
Nov. 5, 1996 –
March 17, 2012
Moriah “Mia G” Gonzalez, 15, of Ennis passed away Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Ennis. She was born Nov. 5, 1996 in Waxahachie to Robert Gonzalez Sr. and Cynthia (Ledesma) Gonzalez. She loved styling hair and wanted to be a cosmetologist. She attended school in Waxahachie. Moriah was loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Left to cherish her memories are her parents, Robert and Cynthia Gonzalez of Ennis; two sisters, Danielle and Elsa Lynn Gonzalez of Ennis; brother, Alex Ghiotto of Dallas; two nieces, Destini Belman and Mariah Palanco of Ennis; two nephews, Jose Torres Jr. of Ennis and Alex Ghiotto Jr. of Dallas; grandfather, Juan Altamira of Waxahachie; aunt, Janie Valdez and her husband, George, of Waxahachie; and uncle, Daniel Davila.
Moriah was preceded in death by her grandmother, Olivia Altamira and sister, Janikka Torres.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012, with a Rosary being said at 7 p.m. at Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home in Waxahachie.
Memorial Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2012, at Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Chapel in Waxahachie.
To view an online obituary or leave the family a personal tribute, visit [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Arrangements are under the direction of the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home in Waxahachie.

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Reward offered as authorities still seek woman in death of burned 15-year-old


Jennifer Samantha Puente

Investigators have offered a reward as they seek the second suspect in the death of a 15-year-old girl in Ennis.

Jennifer Samantha Puente, 18, was a friend of Moriah Gonzales, who body was found burning on the side of a road along Knighthurst Drive on March 17.

Without saying why, police believe she killed Gonzales with the victim’s former co-worker, Jose Manuel Alvarado, who was arrested in late March.

Investigators believe Puentes has ties to Grand Prairie, Arlington and Ennis, and has family in Corsicana and El Cenizo, near Laredo.

“She is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs approximately 150 pounds, and has a mole on her left cheek,” Texas Department of Public Safety officials said in a statement.

“She has a distinctive tattoo on her right front shoulder area with an expletive, ‘[expletive] everybody’ (in cursive) surrounded by stars; another of a pacifier on the bottom of her right arm; and ‘Baby John’ tattooed on back of her neck.”

A $1,000 reward has been offered for information leading to her arrest and indictment. Authorities warned the public not to apprehend Puente themselves.

Anyone with information can call 903-874-TIPS.

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Police said that Alvarado is a former co-worker of Moriah, and Puente was a longtime acquaintance. Investigators said they have a motive in the crime, but have not offered details.

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Murder suspect indicted

An Ellis County grand jury has indicted one of the alleged killers of Ennis resident Moriah Gonzales three months after the crime.
Jose Manuel Alvarado was arrested March 24 in a hotel in Grand Prairie, a week after the body of the 15-year-old Gonzales was discovered on a roadside in Ennis. According to court records, Alvarado remains in jail on a $200,000 bond in the killing.

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I sure hope LE can locate this girl! What a sad story.

I can't believe this girl is still running around and has not been caught!!!

6.8.2012
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a teenage murder suspect who may be hiding out along the U.S./Mexico border.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials have issued a special alert for 18-year-old Jennifer Samantha Puente.

The Dallas area teen is accused in the murder of 15-year-old Moriah Gonzales.

A motive in the murder is still not clear but Gonzales’ body was found burned on the side of the road in Ennis back in March.

Investigators arrested 29-year-old Jose Manuel Alvarado one week after the crime but Puente is the second suspect and remains at large.

DPS officials said Puente has ties to Grand Prairie, Arlington and Ennis but also has family in Corsicana and El Cenizo just outside Laredo.

Puente is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds and with a mole on her left cheek.

She has a distinctive tattoo on her right front shoulder area with an expletive, “Fu_ _ everybody” (in cursive) surrounded by stars.

DPS officials said she another tattoo of a pacifier on the bottom of her right arm; and “Baby John” tattooed on back of her neck.

The Navarro County Crime Stoppers is now offering a $1,000 reward leading to Puente’s arrest and indictment.

Anyone with information is asked to call (903) 874-TIPS or their local police.
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She STILL hasn't been caught??

Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:29 PM
Updated Friday, Mar 30 at 6:39 PM

ENNIS - The police hunt is still on for 18-year-old Jennifer Samantha Puente, the teen suspected of killing her friend, 15-year-old Moriah Gonzales.
Authorities said after she was killed, Gonzales' body was then burned and left on the side of a road on March 17.
According to warrants obtained by News 8, Puente "had been planning to murder several subjects."
Investigators will not discuss the details of a potential "hit list," but Puente's former boyfriend, Johnny Wells, believes he was among those on the list.
"Her best friend told me she was going to set me up; that I better lock my door because she was going to stab me and burn my body, throw it out," he said.
Wells is the father of Puente's son.
On March 15, he requested a protective order against her.
In his petition, he told the court that Puente was not a good mother. He also stated that he believed she was trying to join a gang and wanted to kill people and burn their bodies.
Wells claimed that he and one of Puente's friends went to the Ennis Police Department weeks before the murder and told investigators that she was plotting to hurt people. The department's police chief denied anyone came to the station warning them prior to Gonzales' death.
Investigators already have 29-year-old Jose Manuel Alvarado in custody in connection to the murder. They believe he was also involved in the attack of Gonzales.
This is the second tragedy over the last few months for the 15-year-old victim's family.
Gonzales' older sister, Janikka, died from an accidental drug overdose six months ago. Their mother is heartbroken over the loss and is struggling to find a way to pay for the funeral of her 15-year-old daughter.
Those who would like to contribute money can make a desposit to the Moriah Gonzales account at the Wells Fargo branch in Waxahachie, or at any Citizens National Bank.
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