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Background: An apartment building in the Carrollton, Texas, neighborhood where Karla Rangel was found dead on March 18 (Google Maps). Inset: Francisco Mendez-Marin (Dallas County Sheriff”s Office).
Francisco Mendez-Marin, aged 23, faces murder charges after allegedly fatally stabbing 20-year-old Karla Rangel in their shared apartment on March 18. Local news outlet KDFW, affiliated with Fox, reported that Carrollton Police Department officers responded to a disturbance call at an apartment complex early that morning, around 4:40 a.m.
Upon entering the residence, police discovered Mendez-Marin, his clothes stained with blood, along with another unidentified person. Tragically, Rangel, who had been married to Mendez-Marin for only a few weeks, was found unresponsive with a severe neck wound.
The affidavit reveals that Mendez-Marin claimed he “didn’t do anything bad.” A bloodied pocketknife was discovered inside the apartment. Footage from body cameras captured Mendez-Marin speaking in Spanish, declaring, “I was obligated to do it.” He was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Carrollton City Jail.
According to the affidavit, Mendez-Marin told officers that he “didn’t do anything bad.” Police said there was a pocketknife covered in blood that was located inside the apartment. Body cameras captured Mendez-Marin saying in Spanish, “I was obligated to do it.” He was arrested at the scene and brought to the Carrollton City Jail.
Rangel was pronounced dead at the scene. More information about the third person was not made available.
Police said the alleged killing stemmed from a domestic incident that escalated. According to the affidavit, officers found a marriage license that stated Mendez-Marin and Rangel had been married on Feb. 26.
Mendez-Marin was charged with murder and was transferred to the Dallas County Jail, where he is being held without bond. His next court date was not made publicly available.