Woman's Body Found in Suitcase

Teen Charged with Murder
Last Edited: Tuesday, 02 Sep 2008, 2:11 PM CDT

Gerson Adonis Funes-Reina (left), Priscila Rodriguez (right) FOX 26 News

HOUSTON -- A 17-year-old girl is charged in connection with the death of her mother, after she helped her 19-year-old boyfriend dump her mother's dead body in northeast Harris County, according to detectives investigating the murder of 55-year-old Maria Rodriguez.

The body of Rodriguez was found Sunday morning inside a suitcase in a wooded area in Magnolia Gardens Park, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

When Priscila Rodriguez was questioned, detectives say she gave a statement saying that Gerson Adonis Funes-Reina killed her mother Friday. She admitted only to helping Funes-Reina place the body in the suitcase and taking it to the park.

Funes-Reina, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, is now charged with murder. Detectives say he denies any involvement in the murder and is being uncooperative with the investigation.

Funes-Reina is being held without bond at the Harris County Jail and is scheduled to appear before a judge Wednesday morning.

Priscila Rodriguez is being held on $1,000 bond and faces a charge of misdemeanor abuse of a corpse. Detectives say the charge against the daughter may be upgraded.

A Houston newspaper reported a man driving along a secluded private road discovered the body in a black suitcase in the woods.

Investigators later discovered Rodriguez had been reported missing by her husband Friday.

The cause of death is under investigation.