Sylvia Garcia was a woman who was murdered by her estranged husband, Martin Gonzalez, in June 1995, being the first of three known victims. Her remains were discovered three months after her initial disappearance, and she was later identified after relatives in her native country of Mexico recognized a forensic sketch released to the media.
Disappearance[]
Garcia went missing after filing for divorce against Martin Gonzalez, a year after they married and relocated to Austin, Texas. She remained in close contact with her family, explaining marital difficulties and concern for her own safety.
Investigation[]
Garcia’s skeletal remains, concealed in a blanket and buried not far from Gonzalez’ residence, were unearthed in September 1995. There was clear evidence that she had been struck multiple times in the head, causing numerous fractures and tooth loss. Examination suggested she was over the age of 35 and of either Native American or Hispanic ancestry.
When no reports of locally missing women matched the then-unidentified skeleton, a facial reconstruction was created and distributed to the media. After her family called in the tip regarding her resemblance to the sketch, investigators learned of her marriage to Martin Gonzalez, who denied having known or married Garcia. DNA from tooth pulp confirmed her identity, after saliva samples from known letters she sent were compared.
For the first time in Texas history, mitochondrial DNA extracted from a hair caught in a knot tied in the fabric around the bones was linked to Gonzalez. He was charged and convicted by September 2000 of Sylvia Garcia’s murder, along with two other women with whom he was romantically involved. There may have been additional victims not yet accounted for, based on Gonzalez’ history of dating emotionally vulnerable women with few or no ties to America or potentially being undocumented immigrants. His crimes are believed to have been triggered by the rejection by romantic partners and losing his sense of control over them.
Gallery[]
Media[]
- Garcia’s case was the subject of the season 9, episode 23 of Forensic Files, titled “Saving Face” in 2004.
- The case was discussed in Karen T. Taylor’s 2000 publication, Forensic Art and Illustration.
Sources[]
- Texas Court of Appeals
- Forensic Files POSTMORTEM WARNING
- Austin American-Statesman