Suspect Arrested in Woman's Death at 6500 South Gessner

January 8, 2008 - Charges are pending against a suspect arrested in the death of a woman found in the 6500 block of South Gessner about 9 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 6).

The suspect, Johnathan Ray Barnes (b/m, DOB: 1-24-85), faces a murder charge. Barnes is accused in the killing of his girlfriend, Jessica Garcia, 33, of Houston, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J. D. Shirley and Officer J. Robles reported:

A passerby saw Ms. Garcia slumped over in her vehicle in the apartment complex parking lot at 6500 South Gessner about 9 a.m. and believed she was asleep. That same passerby later saw Garcia in the same vehicle still slumped over at 1:45 p.m. and notified the apartment manager. A maintenance man went to check if Garcia needed help. After being unable to wake Garcia by banging on the window of her vehicle, HPD patrol officers and HFD paramedics were called to the scene.

An investigation determined Garcia had been strangled.

Further investigation identified Barnes as the suspect in this case. He was arrested on Wednesday (Jan. 7) without incident.

Update: VHS/JFC
VHS/JFC 1-7-09
Inc. #002816009

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.