Mineral Wells Area News

By Amy Bearden / Mineral Wells Area News

One month after the body of 68-year-old Marvin Wayne Henry of Dallas County was discovered in the southern portion of Palo Pinto County, three suspects charged with his murder have been extradited back to the county after being arrested and detained in Cooke County this past December.

On January 16th, the three suspects charged with capital murder in Henry’s death and identified as 31-year-old Natalie Gomez, 39-year old Pascual Villaneda, both residents of Dallas County as well as 44-year-old Ruperto Toscano of Mexico were returned to Palo Pinto County and remain incarcerated with a bond of $1.2 million dollars a piece.

According to a press release from PPCSO, on December 16th 2024, law enforcement responded to a report of a possible dead body beside the access road of I-20 near exit 373.  

A deceased male later identified as Marvin Henry was found lying near the north access road of I-20.  Investigators determined the deceased man was a victim of a criminal assault and had suffered traumatic injuries.  Evidence at the scene indicated the crime had not occurred in Palo Pinto County, but the victim had been transported to Palo Pinto County and discarded according to police reports.

Through an investigation it was determined that Henry was a resident of Dallas County and his vehicle was missing and requested assistance from law enforcement agencies throughout the state in locating the vehicle.

Later that evening Henry’s vehicle was located near Gainesville in Cooke County and two suspects were taken into custody and held for questioning.  Investigators determined that a third suspect was still at large and was located near Valley View the next day.  He was also taken into custody and held for questioning.

The Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office obtained Capital Murder warrants for the three suspects and they remained in Cooke County until they were recently moved to the Palo Pinto County Detention Center.

“It is very early to provide information at this time because there are several investigating entities involved in this case,” stated Palo Pinto County Chief Deputy James Goodwin.

Gomez and Toscano both have an additional charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle in Cooke County with a bond amount of $25,000.