Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Dept.
Press Release
PALO PINTO – On Monday, December 16, 2024, at approx. 9:00 a.m., Deputies and Investigators from the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s responded to a report of a possible dead body beside the access road of I-20 near exit 373. They were joined by members of the Texas Rangers, who were in the area on an unrelated investigation.
Investigators located a deceased male lying near the north access road of I-20. Investigators determined that the deceased male was a victim of a criminal assault and had suffered traumatic injuries. Evidence at the scene indicated that the crime had not occurred in Palo Pinto County, only that the victim had been transported to Palo Pinto County and discarded.
Through various means and resources, the victim was identified, and it was determined that he was currently a resident of Dallas County. Investigators were able to ascertain that the victim’s vehicle was missing and requested assistance from law enforcement agencies throughout the State in locating the vehicle.
The victim’s vehicle was located near Gainesville, in Cooke County, Texas, later that evening. Two suspects were taken into custody and held for questioning. Investigators determined that a third suspect was still at large and was located near Valley View the next day. He was also taken into custody and held for questioning.
The Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office obtained Capital Murder warrants for the three suspects, and they are currently in the custody of the Cooke County Sheriff, awaiting transport to Palo Pinto County.
A special thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts and quick responses, which led to the successful apprehension of three violent criminals: the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Border Patrol, the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, the Gainesville, Texas, Police Department, and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office.
This remains an active investigation with the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Texas Rangers.
The victim has been identified as:
- Marvin Wayne Henry, 68, from Dallas County
The suspects have been identified as:
- Natalie Gomez, 31 Dallas County
- Pascual Villaneda, 39, Dallas County
- Ruperto Toscano, 44, Mexico
