Murder charged filed in Iowa woman’s death
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man arrested in Texas as a material witness in the death of an Iowa woman faces a first-degree murder charge.
Des Moines police have charged 19-year-old Raymond Benitez in the death of 18-year-old Judy VanLo. She was found dead in her home on June 17. Police say she died from blunt force trauma.
Benitez was arrested in Texas on June 22 when he tried to cross the Mexican border.
Police say detectives flew to Texas Wednesday morning, interviewed Benitez and charged him in VanLo’s death. He’s being held at the Cameron County jail in Brownsville, Texas, pending his return to Iowa.
