Third grade teacher found murdered

San Benito CISD Teacher of the Year gunned down

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Sonia Perez

Thirty-nine year-old Rio Hondo Intermediate teacher Sonia Perez was found Thursday night shot to death between San Benito and Rio Hondo. (File photo)

A third grade Rio Hondo ISD educator and former Teacher of the Year for Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary School in San Benito was found dead on the night of Thursday, March 31.

As first reported by the San Benito News Friday morning on sbnewspaper.com, the body of San Benito resident Sonia Perez, 39, was discovered by a Precinct 4 Cameron County Deputy Constable while patrolling Robles Road Thursday evening at approximately 10:49 p.m. The deputy discovered a Chevrolet Astro Van on the side of the road with the headlights on.

“Because it was at night he went out to investigate. When he checked the vehicle, he opened the door and discovered a female slumped over in the driver’s side, unresponsive,” said Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio. “We went out there and found a female who was identified as Sonia Perez.”

According to Lucio, further investigation determined that Perez had been shot twice, once in the right side of the abdomen and once in the head. Authorities said there are currently no suspects in the shooting.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the April 3 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2011/04/01/third-grade-teacher-found-murdered/

8 comments

Skip to comment form

    • Mony on April 2, 2011 at 3:46 pm
    • Reply

    I didn’t report it, cuz almost immediately I heard sirens and saw DPS or Cameron County speeding toward That direction. Then while driving down 77 towards Harlingen, I saw EMS and sherrifs dept. goin back towards San Benito. The shots I heard sounded more like a gun fight though. It’s possible, and no disrespect to anyone, that she could have been hit by stray bullets….just sayin

    • Sandra on April 2, 2011 at 12:56 pm
    • Reply

    Guys if you know anything email me to olverasandra36@live.com
    Thanks!

    • Sandra on April 2, 2011 at 12:55 pm
    • Reply

    Guys if you anything email me to overasandra36@live.com
    Thanks!

    • Alicia T. on April 2, 2011 at 12:46 pm
    • Reply

    What is suspicious is where the body was found….That area is known to be frequent by couples after dark, not a lot, but if you pass by there at night and look over canal bank, tucked behing the only tree standing, you’ll see the reflection of a car’s tail light.

  1. Anyone with information that could potentially lead to an arrest is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 1-866-350-5551. Anonymity will be upheld.

    • zoe on April 2, 2011 at 10:59 am
    • Reply

    When you heard thos shots, did you report it?

    • zoe on April 2, 2011 at 10:58 am
    • Reply

    Did you report it, if it was in your area?

    • Mony on April 2, 2011 at 5:02 am
    • Reply

    At around 10:30 Thursday night, I heard a plethora of gunshots coming from that area…,I’m thinking maybe this couldve been the result

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.