Jason Thornburg, 44, of Euless, has been convicted of capital murder in connection with the deaths of three individuals, including two women and a man, whose dismembered bodies were discovered in a Fort Worth dumpster in September 2021. Jurors now face the task of determining whether Thornburg will be sentenced to death, as prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Thornburg was indicted in December 2021 for the murders of David Lueras, Lauren Phillips, and Maricruz Mathis. Police said the victims’ remains were found in a dumpster, burned beyond recognition. Thornburg reportedly confessed to these murders and to the killings of two other people: his girlfriend, Tanya Begay, in 2017, and his former roommate, Mark Jewell, in May 2021.
According to an affidavit, Thornburg stated that the murders were part of what he described as "human sacrifices to God." He further explained that he believed he was called to commit these acts due to his deep knowledge of the Bible. Thornburg also attended a leadership conference led by one of his victims, where he expressed a desire to become a missionary, citing his “sense of purpose” as his greatest strength.
The penalty phase of the trial will now determine whether Thornburg will receive the death sentence.
