Alexander Valdez, 23, has been charged with the murder of his 58-year-old mother, Teresita Sayson, after police discovered her body in a home on Farmers Branch Street early Friday morning, April 18.
According to an arrest warrant, Fort Worth Police officers arrived at the residence around 1:30 a.m. and found Valdez with blood smeared across his body. He allegedly told officers, "'It was an exorcism' as he walked out of the house and sat on a chair on the front porch," while holding a Bible.
When questioned about the blood, Valdez reportedly replied, “I was doing witchcraft to kill my mom.” He also allegedly told officers there was a dead body inside, stating, “It’s my mom.”
Police indicated the discovery was made partly through social media after Valdez reportedly publicized his actions. Officer Tracy Carter with FWPD stated, “He was on the Snapchat, and he said he wanted to perform witchcraft. We were alerted, thank goodness for the people that were on Snapchat that said that he wanted to do this satanic ritual.”
The arrest warrant detailed that police received a call from an anonymous person who had received a “very concerning” photo in a Snapchat group chat, allegedly showing a woman on the ground covered in blood. Friends of Valdez reportedly warned each other not to open the image.
Upon entering the home, officers found Teresita Sayson’s body in the primary bedroom. She was covered in blood and had "trauma to the face and upper body." Police also found a deceased dog in the same room. The arrest affidavit stated the victim had been intentionally struck multiple times with a blunt force object, and investigators found a broken, blood-covered jewelry box with the victim's hair embedded in it. Friends of Valdez at the scene showed police the disturbing photo.
The Fort Worth Police Department released statements acknowledging the tip from a citizen who saw the photo on Snapchat and the tragic nature of the crime. Valdez has been charged with the murder of his mother. His bond has been set at $750,000 and remains incarcerated at the Tarrant County Jail.
