SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KWTX) – Marlene Vidal, 34, of Edinburg, Texas, is being charged with capital murder after San Antonio police discovered the bodies of her two children in a burned vehicle.
Between 5 and 6 a.m. Friday May 15, San Antonio police were notified by a witness of a burning vehicle in a warehouse parking lot at the 500 block of Richland Hills Drive.
The officers discovered a vehicle that had been set on fire with the bodies of two children inside.
According to San Antonio police, the children are believed to be 5 and 7, pending positive identification from the medical examiner.
Vidal told San Antonio police that she is the mother of the two deceased children and indicated a connection to the vehicle.
Evidence from the scene, statements from Vidal and surveillance video have “indicated that she is solely responsible for the death of these two children,” San Antonio Assistant Police Chief Jesse Salame said Friday in a news conference.
A motive has not yet been determined, but investigators say that mental health may have played a role.
According to San Antonio police, an arrest has been made and an investigation is underway into the case’s forensics is underway.
Vidal has family connections in San Antonio and investigators are working to interview those related to the case.
There are no additional details at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Copyright 2026 KWTX. All rights reserved.