Austin Priest Found Murdered in Mexico

A missing Austin priest's body has been identified by family members in Mexico. Father Jesse Euresti's, 69, body was found on the side of a highway, near the state of Nuevo Leon.  Investigators say the body had been dumped in a roadway and covered with a mattress.

At a press conference Monday morning, Bishop Gregory Aymond, confirmed that Fr. Euresti's body had been identified by his sister and his body was sent back to Austin on Monday. 

Father Euresti was a priest at Cristo Rey Church in East Austin. He went missing in Mexico early this week. He traveled from Austin to his home in Nuevo Laredo on Monday. Family members lost contact with him the next day. Worried for his safety, family members went to his home and found blood splattered on the walls and floors.

According to Bishop Aymond, a caretaker, Manuel Martin Torres- Saldana, living in the same residence with Fr. Euresti in Nuevo Laredo is considered the prime suspect in the murder investigation and is in custody.

According to the family of Euresti, Saldana contacted them and demanded $3,000 in order to reveal the location of the body.  Saldana wanted the money wired to him.  Investigators had the location staked out and arrested him as he tried to collect the money.
 

Christo Rey will hold a special service for Fr. Euresti on Tuesday afternoon.  Bishop Aymond will preside and local parishoners are invited to attend.

 Foti Kallergis reports with more on the murder of Father Euresti: