Veronica Mercado, a 26-year-old Hispanic woman, was tragically killed on November 6, 2015, in Houston, Texas. She was found dead in her home along with her nearly 2-year-old daughter, Linette Cano. Both victims had been shot multiple times. The front door of their home had been forced open, indicating a violent entry. Veronica was discovered holding her daughter, who would have turned 2 years old on November 21.
Veronica's two older children were at school at the time of the incident.
The primary suspect in this case is Jonathan Figueroa, a 23-year-old man who was Veronica's boyfriend at the time. Figueroa was charged with capital murder in connection with the deaths of Veronica and her daughter. He was not the father of Linette Cano. Before the incident, Figueroa had made statements to a friend that raised concerns about Veronica's safety. This prompted the friend to alert the police, who then discovered the bodies.
Figueroa was believed to be heading towards the Mexican border in a maroon Ford Taurus with Texas license plates CTS3225. The police issued a warrant for his arrest and launched a manhunt to locate him. The case drew significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the involvement of a young child. Veronica had reportedly been experiencing problems with Figueroa and was afraid of him, indicating a history of domestic violence.
The investigation into the deaths of Veronica Mercado and her daughter Linette Cano was a high-priority case for the Houston Police Department. The authorities worked diligently to gather evidence and track down Figueroa. The case highlighted the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating impact it can have on families. The community mourned the loss of Veronica and her daughter, and efforts were made to bring the perpetrator to justice.
