Texas Man Arrested In Connection With Housecleaner Found Dead At Construction Site, Police Say

A Texas man was arrested in connection with the death of a housecleaner whose body was found in a home under construction, according to authorities.

Police in La Marque said Carlos Heriberto Lara-Balcazar, 34, was identified as a suspect in the case after detectives recovered evidence discarded in a dumpster near his home, KHOU reported.

The body of Maria Rios, a 57-year-old grandmother of four, was located in the construction site in a new subdivision on Jan. 31. According to police, the victim was hired to clean the home once work on the property was complete.

Lara-Balcazar was arrested at his apartment and booked into the Galveston Couty Sherif's Office jail after receiving treatment for injuries he sustained when authorities were taking him into custody.

La Marque Police Lt. Forrest Gandy said investigators believe the suspect and victim knew each other and the alleged attack was not random, KPRC-TV reported.

He faces a felony tampering with physical evidence charge, but police said more charges are likely in the ongoing investigation.

His bond was set at $40,000.

The victim’s daughter, Cynthia Espinosa, said her mother loved everyone.

“She was the voice of the family. The one that got the family together,” Espinosa told KHOU. “She didn't deserve this. I just can’t believe that somebody could be that evil to do something to a woman who just did not deserve it.”