In the late summer of 2022, the community of Bryan, Texas, was shaken by the tragic death of Althia Jenkins-Perry, a 62-year-old female ride-share driver known for her dedication and kindness. Her life was abruptly cut short on Sunday, August 14, when her body was discovered in the backyard of a residence on West Pruitt Street. Authorities who responded to the scene at approximately 8:30 a.m. found that Jenkins-Perry had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. It appeared to investigators that she had been killed elsewhere and her body moved to the location where she was found.
The investigation into her death quickly revealed that Jenkins-Perry's vehicle was missing, prompting law enforcement to list it as stolen. This crucial piece of information led to a significant break in the case. Texas State Troopers located the vehicle in Del Rio, Texas, a city on the border with Mexico. Behind the wheel was 18-year-old Anderson Ariel Martinez-Herrera, also a resident of Bryan. Troopers noted what appeared to be blood on both Martinez-Herrera and in the front seats of the car. He was also found in possession of his own Mexican identification card and Jenkins-Perry's driver's license.
Detectives from the Bryan Police Department traveled to Del Rio to continue their investigation. Based on the evidence gathered, they established probable cause to arrest Anderson Ariel Martinez-Herrera for the murder of Althia Jenkins-Perry. He was subsequently transported to the Brazos County Jail, where he was booked on a murder charge with his bond set at $500,000. An immigration hold was also placed on him. While the motive and the exact circumstances of the encounter between Jenkins-Perry and Martinez-Herrera remain part of the ongoing investigation, it is believed she was giving him a ride as part of her work. The senseless act left friends and family mourning the loss of a woman remembered for her giving nature and selfless spirit.
