SAN ANTONIO — Two women are accused of helping plan the robbery and killing of a San Antonio man whose body was later found wrapped in a shower curtain and set on fire.
Leidy Guadalupe Hernandez and Ulani Mable Nunes are both charged with capital murder by terroristic threat in the death of Manuel Mendez.
Mendez’s body was discovered March 28 near Rigsby Avenue after firefighters responded to a fire. His hands and legs were bound, duct tape covered his face and his body had been wrapped in what appeared to be a shower curtain, according to an arrest report.
Investigators said Mendez had been killed several days earlier.
According to the arrest report, Mendez’s family became concerned when he did not attend church as usual. They were able to track his movements through an app, which showed unusual activity beginning March 25 and eventually stopping near New Braunfels Avenue and Houston Street.
Surveillance video showed two people leaving and returning to Mendez’s home around the time he disappeared, the report says. Additional video allegedly showed the pair with a dolly and tote near the area where his body was later found.
Investigators eventually connected Hernandez and Nunes to the case after looking into a separate robbery that happened days after Mendez was killed. Authorities said the two cases shared several similarities. Items belonging to Mendez were also allegedly found in a vehicle connected to the women.
According to the arrest report, Nunes later told investigators that she and Hernandez had been renting rooms from Mendez and decided to rob and kill him.
Nunes said they bought items at a nearby Home Depot that were later used to bind Mendez before returning to his home. She told investigators they attacked him upstairs, bound him and covered his mouth and nose while he pleaded for his life.
Nunes said Mendez was dead about 30 minutes later.
The affidavit says the women took Mendez’s wallet and checks and tried to cash the checks using a forged name. Investigators said they also took his phone and used it for a period of time after his death.
Three days later, Nunes said, they decided to move Mendez’s body because of the smell. She told investigators they placed his body in a tote, covered it with towels and clothing and used a cart to move it to a wooded area.
Nunes said Hernandez then poured lighter fluid on Mendez’s body and set it on fire, according to the affidavit.
When investigators asked why they decided to kill Mendez rather than simply rob him, Nunes allegedly responded, “…we could get more money.”
Both women remain in the Bexar County Jail without bail at this time.