Crime
28-year-old Benito Juarez killed in Seaside Cemetery shooting, 2 suspects arrested
The Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) has made a second arrest in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred near Seaside Cemetery on Sunday night.
On Tuesday, U.S. Marshals, in collaboration with CCPD officers, apprehended 20-year-old Amber Salazar at the 4800 block of Kendall Drive.
Salazar was initially arrested on an outstanding burglary warrant unrelated to the shooting incident. The bond for the burglary charge was set at $30,000.
After being transported to the CCPD main police station, Salazar was interviewed by homicide detectives. Following the interview, detectives secured a murder warrant against him, adding this charge to his record. Salazar’s bond now totals $780,000.
The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim of Sunday night’s shooting as 28-year-old Benito Juarez. Juarez succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after the incident.
On Monday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 20-year-old Jesse Diaz in connection with Juarez’s murder.
Diaz was taken into custody at the CCPD Main Station and subsequently transported to the City Detention Center for booking. His bond has been set at $750,000.
The fatal shooting occurred on Sunday, January 7, at approximately 6:18 p.m. in the 200 block of Robert Drive, near Seaside Cemetery.
Upon arrival, CCPD officers found the victim receiving first aid from the Corpus Christi Fire Department. Despite efforts, Juarez was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest that an unknown number of individuals had met at the location, where a dispute escalated into a shooting. The suspects fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle.
Authorities believe that Juarez and the suspect(s) were acquainted, indicating this was not a random act of violence.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify additional suspects and gather more evidence.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2600. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477).
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more details emerge.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.