On the evening of February 8, 2025, 19-year-old male University of Houston-Clear Lake student Payas Rohit Deo left his family's home in Pasadena, Texas, after dinner and was not seen again. The following day, his gray 2015 Toyota Camry was discovered abandoned approximately six miles away, near Allen Genoa Road and Smith Avenue in Pasadena. The vehicle had a smashed driver's side window, blood on the front seat, and his shoes inside, raising immediate concerns about foul play.
After nearly three weeks of searching, on March 1, 2025, the body of 19-year-old male Payas Rohit Deo was found in a field near Dumas Street and Almeda Genoa Road in southeast Houston. The remains were in an advanced state of decomposition. An autopsy conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences determined that he had been shot twice—in the head and neck—and ruled the death a homicide.
On March 19, 2025, Pasadena police arrested 20-year-old male Nickalous Ahmed Benjamin in connection with the death of 19-year-old male Payas Rohit Deo. Benjamin was charged with murder and tampering with a human corpse. Investigators from the Pasadena Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, in collaboration with the Houston Police Department, are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the case.
The family of 19-year-old male Payas Rohit Deo held a candlelight vigil on March 6, 2025, to honor his memory and seek justice. His father, Rohit Deo, expressed a deep desire for answers and justice, stating, "I'm not going anywhere unless I get justice." The community has rallied around the family, offering support and sharing memories of the young man whose life was tragically cut short.
