SAN ANTONIO, TX - A 19-year-old and his father have been arrested in connection with the killings of a pregnant Texas teen and her boyfriend after their bodies were found last week in a car in the 5900 block of Danny Kaye of San Antonio.
Christopher Preciado was arrested on suspicion of capital murder in the deaths of 18-year-old Savanah Soto, who was nine months pregnant, and 22-year-old Matthew Guerra, the San Antonio Police Department said in a news release on Facebook.
Preciado’s father, Ramon Preciado, was arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse, the release said, accused of helping his son “move the bodies.”
San Antonio police said they collected a cellphone as evidence when they discovered Soto and Guerra’s bodies in a Northwest Side apartment complex parking lot on Dec. 26, 2023. The phone was said to be Savanah’s, and the technology team and the United States Secret Service got enough information from it to detectives on Wednesday.
The information found on the phone led detectives to the suspect vehicle seen in a surveillance video police had shared on Dec. 28, 2023. Officers conducted surveillance when they arrived where they believed the suspect vehicle was located.
Police knocked on the door, and Ramon Preciado answered and said he knew why police were there. He began cooperating fully with the investigation, according to SAPD.
The father and son were taken into custody and questioned downtown at police headquarters. SAPD said a judge signed a warrant for their arrest based on the information provided during questioning on Wednesday night.
Police added the deaths were in connection with a narcotics-related drug deal that went badly and confirmed that Soto and Guerra were killed on Dec. 21, 2023, before midnight.
Christopher Preciado is the alleged sole killer in the case, according to police. SAPD said his father helped hide the bodies.
There is no connection to where the bodies were found on Dec. 26. Police said they were dumped there after they were killed at a different location. Police say the department will be working with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office to determine any further charges since Soto was pregnant and about to give birth at the time of her death.
Police added that these are the only suspects being sought concerning the case and say Christopher Preciado has no previous criminal history, while his father had some criminal history.
Ramon Preciado’s bond is set at $100,000, while Christopher Preciado’s bond has been set at $1,000,000.
San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus posted to X on Thursday morning, saying, “Last night, the San Antonio Police Department arrested two people, a father and his teenage son, in connection with the murders of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra. GREAT investigative work done by SAPD homicide detectives!!!”
Comments