Irving, Texas Capital Murder Suspect Arrested in Honduras After More Than Two Years on the Run

A man accused of killing his girlfriend and her mother in Irving, Texas, in 2024 has been captured in Honduras, Irving police announced.

Hector Vicente Paguada Paguada was arrested on Saturday in Saba, in the Colon department of Honduras, according to the Irving Police Department. He is awaiting extradition to the United States and will face two counts of capital murder in Dallas County.

The 2024 Irving killings

Police said the double murder happened on January 19, 2024, at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of West Irving Boulevard. Investigators believe Paguada shot and killed 23 year old Nayeli Medina, who he had been in a relationship with, and her mother, 55 year old Juana Rodriguez. Medina's 5 year old son witnessed the murders, police said.

Paguada left the country after the killings, and the search for him ran for more than two years. Telemundo 39 also reported the arrest in Honduras this week, naming the victims as Nayeli Bolanos Medina and Juana Medina Rodriguez and confirming that Paguada faces capital murder charges in the case.

Police statement and the helpers already in custody

"For more than two years, Irving police detectives have remained relentless in their pursuit of justice, following every lead and working diligently to bring answers to the victims' families," the Irving Police Department said in a statement. The department said its investigation also led to the arrests of four people accused of helping Paguada flee the country after the murders, and it thanked the public, the FBI and the Dallas County District Attorney's Office for their help.

Two women, Nicolle Martinez Tome and Paguada's sister, Yudi Mabel Paguada Ruiz, allegedly helped him get rid of the SUV he used to flee the scene. Police records cited in earlier reporting said the two were allegedly paid 100 dollars to dispose of the vehicle, and that one of them also deleted digital evidence.

Yeferi Josue Aguilera Hernandez was charged with hindering apprehension of a known felon. Investigators said he helped transport Paguada to the Houston area in the hours after the murders. A fourth person, Escarleth Mejia, allegedly helped coordinate Paguada's escape from North Texas to Houston.

What happens next

Paguada remains in Honduras while extradition moves forward. No date for his return to Texas has been announced. Once he is back in Dallas County, he will face the two capital murder counts in court. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For the families of Nayeli Medina and Juana Rodriguez, the arrest closes a long wait that began on a January night in 2024 in the 2000 block of West Irving Boulevard. Irving police said detectives followed every lead in the case for more than two years before the arrest in Saba.