HOUSTON – A man is facing murder charges after police say he fatally stabbed a woman inside a west Houston restaurant late Saturday night in what investigators are calling a domestic violence-related homicide.
Newly released documents state that Santos Hernandez Cornejo, who was in a relationship with Argelia Diaz Maya, had been tracking, stalking and chasing her in the days before the deadly attack.
Authorities said Cornejo placed a tracking device on Diaz Maya’s vehicle and even installed a listening device in her bedroom because he believed she was cheating on him.
Investigators say on the night of the murder, Cornejo waited outside the restaurant where Diaz Maya worked, confronted her as she left, then chased her back inside armed with a knife he had hidden in his waistband.
Once inside, he stabbed Diaz Maya multiple times throughout her body. Surveillance video later helped police locate the bloody knife discarded in a nearby field.
“What we’re being told is that this was a very aggressive domestic type of situation,” said Lt. A. Ali with the Houston Police Department.
According to investigators, Cornejo later called 911 and agreed to turn himself in.
Cornejo appeared in a preliminary hearing this morning in Harris County District Court, where he was appointed an attorney and granted a $50,000 bond with conditions.
CHECK OUT KPRC 2’s “BREAKING FREE” COVERAGE
KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with a Digital Forensic Investigator not affiliated with the case. He shared tips for how you can know if you are being tracked.
“There is this great app called the BLE Scanner, Bluetooth Low Energy Scanner. It makes it very easy to find these Bluetooth devices,” said Colman Ryan.
The BLE app shows how close the devices are to you. Ryan said the two most common devices used for tracking are Apple Air Tags and a Tile Tracker. He said taped behind a license plate is usually where they are placed.
If you are worried about a listening device being placed inside your home, Ryan suggests checking your router and look for foreign devices. If you find an unwanted device, Ryan said it is best to call police right away.
If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources available. We have a section on our website called Breaking Free dedicated to resources and support from the community.
