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Neighbor who found woman's body has heartfelt words for family

Selia Martinez found the body in alley behind her home on July 27

SAN ANTONIO – There are still no answers in the murder of a woman nearly three weeks ago. Jessica Gonzales, 36, was found dead in an alley off of the 1500 block of South Flores.

A woman who never knew Gonzales said she now feels invested in the case. Selia Martinez found Gonzales’ body the night of July 27, and wants to know who murdered her and how she got to the alley behind her house.

It was her neighbor's dog barking that brought Martinez to the alley late that night.

RELATED: Woman found dead in south downtown

"I saw something and I thought it was trash and when I approached it with the light on my phone I saw it was something big and not something flat on the floor," Martinez said. "It seemed strange, and as I got closer I saw her feet." 

The rest of Gonzales' body was covered by a blanket. She had been shot in the head.

Filled with fear and surprise, Martinez immediately called for help. San Antonio police showed up and canvassed the scene for evidence. 

"It's a reaction. I can't explain," Martinez said. "I'm surprised, too, because I lost my son and to see this, it's really sad and ugly."

A stain on the alley's concrete still marks the place where Martinez found Gonzales. A few feet away is now a small memorial that says "sister."

Martinez said family members have come to visit the memorial regularly.

"What I want to tell them is I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, because I lost a son. There are no words to comfort. Only time will help us heal the pain," she said.

Martinez has not talked to any family members because she wants to give them space.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call San Antonio police at 210-207-7273.

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About the Author
Courtney Friedman headshot

Courtney Friedman anchors KSAT’s weekend evening shows and reports during the week. Her ongoing Loving in Fear series confronts Bexar County’s domestic violence epidemic. She joined KSAT in 2014 and is proud to call the SA and South Texas community home. She came to San Antonio from KYTX CBS 19 in Tyler, where she also anchored & reported.

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