Inside the Maria Munoz murder case: A look at the evidence

Maria Muñoz, a younger and wholesome Texas mom, died unexpectedly. A toxicology report later revealed seven totally different surgical medication have been present in her system. Was it homicide or a horrible accident? The proof introduced at Joel Pellot’s trial for the homicide of his spouse tells a distinct story from what he advised police occurred the day Muñoz died.

Sept. 22, 2020

Muñoz, 31,  a stay-at-home mom, lived in Laredo, Texas, along with her two younger sons and her husband, Pellot. On Sept. 22, 2020, Pellot referred to as 911 saying Muñoz could have taken some prescription drugs and was not respiration. First responders tried to avoid wasting her however after failed makes an attempt, Muñoz was declared useless at 3:58 a.m. that day. The primary officer on the scene, Gregorio De La Cruz, advised “48 Hours” that Pellot’s conduct appeared suspicious and sure features concerning the scene did not fairly make sense. 

Police bodycam video 

When Officer De La Cruz from the Laredo Police Division responded to the 911 name, his bodycam was recording. Pellot, a nurse anesthetist, is seen wearing teal surgical scrubs. The video captured some key moments that made De La Cruz suspect that Pellot could have had one thing to do along with his spouse’s loss of life.   

The tablet container

A type of key moments was when De La Cruz requested for the drugs Pellot stated Muñoz had taken. Pellot went to the toilet and De La Cruz says he heard him pull a container from the drugs cupboard. De La Cruz thought it was odd as a result of in his expertise when somebody overdoses on medication, they’re often discovered close to the individual. On this case, the clonazepam drugs prescribed to Pellot, have been in one other room. 

Later, Pellot is seen on digicam grabbing the tablet container from the ground and placing it in his pocket. De La Cruz questioned, why would he take the drugs again? Was he hiding one thing? 

Suspicious conduct

Along with Pellot placing the drugs in his pocket, there was one thing about his look that De La Cruz stated appeared suspicious. De La Cruz noticed Pellot sweating profusely via his scrubs, and De La Cruz stated he appeared like he could have been underneath the affect of medicine.  

Proof on the scene

De La Cruz additionally discovered a needle catheter on the steps on the couple’s dwelling. This did not make a lot sense to him.  Pellot and Muñoz had two younger youngsters — why would there be a needle on the steps? 

A medical bag

Along with the needle, first responders additionally discovered syringes and IV gear in a medical bag on the dwelling. Though Pellot was a nurse anesthetist who labored in working rooms, a lot of these provides are usually present in a medical setting. 

Police interview Joel Pellot

Authorities put Pellot at the back of a cruiser and drove him to the police station for an interview. The cameras captured him crying, screaming, and pushing furnishings round within the interview room.

Throughout this interview, Pellot advised lead investigator Sgt. Luis Mata that he had moved out of the home and was dwelling along with his girlfriend and that he went to see Muñoz to speak about their marriage. Pellot advised Mata that his spouse took the clonazepam drugs sooner or later after they talked, and the medical provides discovered on the dwelling have been his. Pellot stated he was taking steroids. 

An unexplained pinprick mark

What Pellot could not clarify was a crimson mark on Muñoz’s proper elbow crease. This mark, together with cellphone calls from involved mates, household, and colleagues of Pellot telling Mata that Pellot could have killed Maria, is what led him to request a toxicology screening. 

Maria Muñoz’s personal phrases

Investigators discovered a collection of journals Muñoz used to jot down about what was taking place in her life. By way of her writings, they found Muñoz beloved her husband and needed to maintain her household collectively, however accepted that he needed to be with another person.

The health worker additionally regarded on the journals and decided Muñoz’s loss of life was not a suicide. 

Maria Muñoz’s cellphone recordings

Muñoz secretly recorded a dialog on her cellphone that supplied a glimpse on how Pellot was treating her. Within the cellphone video, Muñoz is heard asking her husband what he needed out of their marriage. She was making an attempt to maintain her household collectively, however Pellot did not appear excited about having that dialog.  

“Pray for me”

The day earlier than she died, Muñoz advised her good friend, Yazmin Martinez, that she and Pellot have been going to have a “coronary heart to coronary heart” dialog that evening. Muñoz requested Martinez to hope for her, however not as a result of she suspected her husband was able to killing her. Martinez stated all Muñoz hoped for was an sincere dialog with him. 

A bombshell toxicology report

In January 2021, Mata and De La Cruz lastly received the toxicology check outcomes that they had been ready for. There was no clonazepam, the drug Pellot claimed Muñoz had taken. However there have been seven different medication in Muñoz’s system: morphine, Demerol, Versed, Propofol, ketamine, lidocaine, and Narcan. Most of them are usually used throughout surgical procedure. 

“Maria’s Group”

District Lawyer Isidro Alaniz chosen a crew of attorneys to characterize Muñoz: Karina Rios, Ana Karen Garza Gutierrez, Marisela Jacaman, and Cristal Calderon. Based mostly on the proof collected on the scene, the in depth writings in Muñoz’s journals, interviews with mates, and knowledgeable accounts, they have been satisfied Pellot killed his spouse. 

A responsible verdict

The all-women prosecution crew constructed a robust case towards Joel Pellot, and confirmed the jury the kind of spouse and mom Maria Muñoz was. The prosecutors advised “48 Hours” that Muñoz’s journals helped them perceive what she was going via and motivated them to battle for justice in her case.

On March 30, 2023, after 9 days of trial, a jury discovered Joel Pellot responsible of murdering his spouse Maria

Maria’s journals have been her testimony

“Maria’s crew” says crucial witness at trial ended up being Muñoz herself. Prosecutors shared with “48 Hours” that they might really feel Maria’s power via her journals. They describe her as an important mom, loving and brilliant.

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