Texas Man Kills Wife Over Back Pain Argument, Shattering 'Almost Perfect Marriage' as Children Watch

A 43-year-old Texas man allegedly shot his wife to death in the presence of their young children after she “didn’t take his back pain seriously” on May 2.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office charged Jose Romero with murder in the killing of his wife, Yanira Marin de Romero, 39.

Authorities said the couple argued before the confrontation escalated into a fatal shooting. Marin de Romero was allegedly shot multiple times while inside the bathroom of their home on Texarkana Street in Houston.

According to family member Jacky Romero, the couple appeared to have an “almost perfect marriage” before the attack.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “My heart and our family are shattered, we are unable to accept this reality. They were in a marriage I can say was almost perfect.”

The family member added that the pair had been together since adolescence and had always moved forward together in life. Calling them the pride of the family, he wrote, “No matter how tired we are, every night and every morning we pray for our children.”

Mery Marín, the victim’s sister, described Romero as “not a violent man,” but rather “a good father and husband” before the incident.

Family members also said Romero had previously struggled with health issues but had recovered. “She took good care of him. He had nothing because he had already healed,” Marin said, suggesting the shooting may have stemmed from a sudden outburst of anger rather than ongoing conflict within the marriage.

Authorities said Marin de Romero was found with multiple gunshot wounds at around 1 p.m. on the day of the incident and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to KHOU, the couple’s three children — ages 3, 8 and 13 — were inside the home during the shooting and hid after hearing gunfire.

Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call placed by Romero, who allegedly confessed to shooting his wife.

“Upon arrival, deputies located [Romero] and detained him without incident,” a press release from the sheriff’s office states. “Romero told homicide detectives he shot and killed Yanira Marin de Romero because she didn’t take his back pain seriously.”

Jacky Romero also reflected on the impact the killing will have on the couple’s children. “My Yanira Marín de Romero left this world without knowing what happened at that time,” he wrote.

According to Law & Crime, Romero remained in the Harris County Jail over the weekend.

Details about Jose Romero’s upcoming court appearances and hearing dates have not been made public.