After almost three decades since her daughter’s tragic death, a mother has been apprehended in Mexico on first-degree murder charges. Anna Marlene Somoza, aged 60, was detained by U.S. Marshals following more than 12 years evading capture in Mexico, largely due to her ties with criminal cartels, according to officials.
Her extradition to the United States is imminent as she’s set to face charges linked to the alleged murder of her daughter, Crystal Reyes. Reyes was subjected to horrific abuse, including torture and starvation. Reports indicate that she was confined in a small dog kennel, bound and gagged for extended periods. Tragically, she died on January 30, 1997, from suffocation when a towel taped to her face led to her death within a sealed cardboard box.
The investigation into Reyes’ case took root in November 1998 when human bone fragments were discovered in a remote area of Arizona by a hunter. It wasn’t until August 2014 that forensic DNA analysis confirmed these fragments belonged to Reyes.
Additional investigations verified her identity through DNA from her biological father. This ultimately led to charges against both Somoza and her boyfriend at the time, Avelino Tamala, in December 2014. Tamala was later convicted of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016.
Before her current legal troubles, Somoza had a troubled criminal history and was linked to drug trafficking along the southern Arizona border during the 1980s and 1990s. After her arrest in 1993, she became a confidential informant for law enforcement, where she met Tamala, leading to an improper relationship. Following Reyes’ birth, the family unit relocated to Arizona.
Experts suggest the extent of abuse suffered by Reyes may have gone unnoticed due to her lack of school attendance. Childhelp’s vice president noted that, nowadays, more states mandate reporting suspected abuse, potentially preventing situations like this.
In 1999, after human remains were connected back to Somoza years later, multiple agencies sought her out. Somoza, however, evaded capture, taking steps to avoid detection as she lived in Mexico. An arrest warrant was issued to extradite her, but tracking her movements proved challenging.
On October 18, authorities finally caught up with her in Xochitepec, Mexico. Plans are now in motion for her return to the U.S., although the extradition process can be prolonged due to international legal challenges. Somoza has the right to contest her extradition, a process that may lead to significant delays.
