San Antonio Police Seek Persons of Interest in Capital Murder Case

(SAN ANTONIO, Texas) — Authorities in San Antonio, Texas, are actively searching for two individuals believed to be connected to a gruesome capital murder case. The investigation was launched after the tragic discovery of 18-year-old Savanah Soto’s lifeless body, days after her scheduled induction for her unborn child.

According to the San Antonio Police Department, the lifeless bodies of an 18-year-old pregnant woman and a 22-year-old man were found inside a vehicle on Tuesday. Sadly, the unborn child also did not survive. The police suspect that the vehicle, a Kia Optima, had been abandoned at the location for several days.

While the medical examiner has yet to officially identify the female victim, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus expressed confidence that it is indeed Savanah Soto during a press briefing on Thursday. The male victim, identified as 22-year-old Matthew Guerra, died from a gunshot wound to the head. However, the exact manner of his death is yet to be determined. The authorities do not currently believe this to be a murder-suicide, although they acknowledge the possibility.

The police are treating this case as a capital murder investigation for both victims, emphasizing the heinous nature of the crime. Chief McManus described the act as “unspeakable” and expressed his condolences to the families involved.

Persons of Interest Sought by Police

As part of their investigation, the San Antonio Police Department released surveillance footage on Thursday, seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest connected to the case. One individual was seen driving the victims’ Kia Optima, while the other was spotted driving a dark-colored pickup truck. Chief McManus clarified that neither victim appears in the video, but the person associated with the pickup truck was observed engaging with the driver of the victims’ car.

Chief McManus initially described the case as perplexing when the bodies were discovered. However, he stated that the investigation has progressed beyond considering it as a potential murder-suicide and is now solely focused on capital murder, unless new evidence suggests otherwise.

Concerns Raised and Investigation Ongoing

Savanah Soto was last seen on December 22 in Leon Valley, prompting the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue a CLEAR Alert, indicating an imminent danger or involuntary disappearance. The 18-year-old had surpassed her delivery date, causing significant concern among her family members when she missed a crucial medical appointment. Gloria Cordova, Soto’s mother, expressed her worries and reported her daughter’s absence to the authorities.

Cordova shared that her daughter’s home was meticulously prepared for the baby’s arrival, making the situation even more distressing for the family. Detectives are meticulously examining social media accounts, cellphone records, and days of surveillance footage from various locations where the victims were known to frequent, hoping to uncover crucial details leading up to their untimely deaths.

Chief McManus expressed optimism that the surveillance video will provide valuable insights into the events that preceded the tragic incident.