Jaydee Rodriguez, a 40-year-old Hispanic man, was found dead on July 22, 2020, near Chapman Ranch Road off County Road 51 in Nueces County, Texas. A worker cutting grass near a cotton gin discovered his body. The Nueces County Medical Examiner determined Rodriguez died from a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators say he was murdered at a different location and his body was dumped and set on fire at the cotton gin.

Rodriguez had been reported missing on July 21, 2020. The homicide investigation involved the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers, and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Two people, Iris Benavidez and Gilberto Quintanilla, were charged in connection with the killing. Benavidez’s initial murder charge was dropped; she was later re-indicted for tampering with evidence, pled guilty, and received a five-year prison sentence. Her lawyer asked the judge to withdraw the plea and consider probation, and a sentencing hearing was reset within the next 30 days.

Anyone with information about where Rodriguez was before July 22, 2020, or about others who may have been involved is asked to come forward.