Full Breakdown
Texas Realtor Arrested for 2012 Murder After Decade-Long Double Life
7/21/2026, 10:39:11 PM
The Arrest and Charges
Mayra Velasquez, a 42-year-old licensed real-estate agent, was taken into custody by the Arlington Police Department on a Thursday and charged with capital murder in connection with the January 20, 2012 killing of 32-year-old Irasema Chavez in Arlington, Texas. Police say surveillance video captured Velasquez approaching Chavez’s apartment wearing a baseball cap and hoodie. The department’s press release states that Chavez was found with approximately 100 stab wounds and that a single drop of blood on Chavez’s nightstand matched a female suspect with no known relation to the victim.
Genetic Genealogy Leads to Break in Cold Case
After years of stalled leads, detectives turned to the FBI’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy program in 2024. The FBI Dallas Field Office agreed to assist, and investigators later reported a “significant break” that linked Velasquez to the crime scene. The collaborative effort between the Arlington Homicide Unit and the FBI was cited as the catalyst for the recent arrest.
Velasquez’s Public Life Since 2012
Following the 2012 homicide, Velasquez built a career as a popular realtor with Pure Realtors, LLC, traveling extensively to locations including Cozumel, Dubai, Disney World, Bolivia, Colombia, Jamaica, Paris, London, Spain, and New York City. She posted on Facebook about her pregnancy, the birth of a child a little over a year after the alleged killing, and numerous real-estate awards. Colleague Lupe Jimenez, who worked with Velasquez between 2022 and 2023, described her as “very kind, very polite” and noted that Velasquez claimed she and her husband flipped homes and ran side businesses while maintaining a family-oriented lifestyle.
Official Statements & Responses
The Arlington Police Department’s release emphasized the forensic evidence and the role of genetic genealogy in solving the case. Authorities denied Velasquez bond, and she remains detained at the Tarrant County Jail. A Fox affiliate report confirmed that Velasquez’s real-estate license was still active as of the Monday preceding her arrest.
Verbatim Quote
“I wanted to see what had happened because I saw a lot of blood, even the white walls were covered,” — Linda Yesenia Valdez
