Luis Fernando Benitez Gonzalez, 26, has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Alyssa Ann Rivera, a 34-year-old woman found dead in June 2024. The arrest also revealed that Gonzalez is linked to the 2018 killing of Alba Jenisse Aviles Marti, which had gone unsolved for years.
Gonzalez was taken into custody on April 27, 2026, in Dallas after a lengthy investigation led to his identification. Authorities say that while in custody, Gonzalez confessed to both murders. Investigators linked him to the deaths using DNA evidence, which was initially connected through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
The Death of Alyssa Ann Rivera
Alyssa Rivera’s body was discovered on June 21, 2024, by Austin police officers at an abandoned home near East Metcalfe Road. Police believe Rivera was forcibly dragged into the residence and attempted to escape. She suffered blunt-force injuries to her face and signs of strangulation. Evidence found at the scene, including drag marks, blood, and handprints, pointed to a violent confrontation. Surveillance footage captured Rivera walking with a man, later identified as Gonzalez, just two days before her body was found.
An autopsy confirmed that Rivera died from head trauma, and homicide was listed as her cause of death.
Breakthrough in the 2018 Case of Alba Jenisse Aviles Marti
While investigating Rivera’s case, authorities uncovered a link to the 2018 murder of Alba Jenisse Aviles Marti, whose body was found in her car on an abandoned road near Dale, Texas. Marti had been last seen leaving a bar with a man, later identified as Gonzalez. An autopsy showed that Marti died from strangulation and had been sexually assaulted.
DNA evidence collected from both crime scenes matched, and further investigation into Gonzalez’s activities in 2025, including cellphone data and ballistic evidence, helped confirm his involvement in both cases.
Gonzalez’s Confession and Claims of Self-Defense
Following his arrest, Gonzalez confessed to killing both women but claimed the deaths were acts of self-defense. He told investigators that Rivera attacked him during a dispute over drugs, and he killed her after putting her in a chokehold. His version of events, however, was contradicted by forensic evidence at the scene. Gonzalez also admitted to killing Marti in 2018 after an argument over money, saying he strangled her with a seatbelt.
Authorities have pointed to a pattern of violent offenses in Gonzalez’s history, leading them to charge him with first-degree murder in Rivera’s case and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the 2025 shootings.
Family Reaction and Relief
The family of Alyssa Rivera has expressed both relief and new grief following Gonzalez’s arrest. Her stepmother, Wendy Rivera, told CBS Austin, “We waited two long years for this, and we had given up hope. So, we’re very happy that he’s now in custody. We finally have answers we didn’t have before.”
The Rivera family remembered Alyssa as someone who “lit up the room,” with her infectious smile leaving a lasting impression on those who met her. While the arrest brings some closure, the family is still grappling with the emotional impact of their loss.
Legal Proceedings and Future Charges
While Gonzalez faces charges related to Rivera’s murder and the 2025 shootings, it remains unclear whether he will face additional charges in connection with Marti’s death. Legal representation for Gonzalez has not been disclosed, and the investigation into his actions continues.
The case marks a significant breakthrough in two long-unsolved murder investigations, with DNA playing a crucial role in connecting Gonzalez to both victims. The ongoing investigation promises to uncover further details as authorities continue to examine his past and actions leading up to the deaths.
