Truck driver imprisoned for killing Texas accused of another death in California, officials say

Just weeks before the district attorney’s announcement, Texas officials arrested Thomas on suspicion of killing a woman found in Titus County in April 1992.

“Thomas was involved in the murder by authorities by DNA matching with evidence from the crime scene,” the district attorney said.

A woman’s body was found near a rest area along the highway, and investigations revealed that she had been strangled “with a device made of wire and cord,” according to people familiar with the matter. She also had evidence of sexual assault, the affiliate reported.

After forensic genealogy investigations from both cases, Riverside investigators contacted the Texas Ranger about the case and informed him of some people in Texas who were “in the correct genetic range for comparison.”

According to a news release, while he was detained in Texas, an investigator from California visited Texas to interview Thomas about the murder of Herrera.

Thomas remains in custody in Texas, where he will be charged with the 1992 murder, Release said. Later, a law firm in the Riverside County district demands that he be handed over to California and charged with Herrera’s death.