A mother, who had been on the run for over a decade, was arrested on charges of murder relating to the death of her four-year-old daughter in Arizona back in 1997. Anna Marlene Somoza, aged 60, was apprehended on Sunday, October 18, in Xochitepec, Mexico, as confirmed by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
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Somoza is accused of first-degree murder in connection with the tragic death of her daughter, Crystal Reyes. The incident that led to the child’s demise occurred on January 30, 1997, when authorities allege that both Somoza and her then-boyfriend, Avelino Tamala, subjected Crystal to severe physical abuse. U.S. Marshal Van Bayless stated that the case can now move forward, promising justice for the young girl who suffered greatly.
Tamala, who was not Crystal’s biological father but was involved with Somoza at the time, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2016 for his part in Crystal’s death and is currently serving a life sentence. As he pursues an appeal against his conviction, the spotlight now shifts to Somoza, who has eluded capture since the tragic events surrounding her daughter’s death.
Crystal Reyes was born on November 25, 1993, in Nogales, Mexico, but her birth was never officially recorded. Following her birth, Somoza relocated with her daughter to Ahwatukee, Arizona, where the situation reportedly deteriorated. Evidence gathered indicates that both Somoza and Tamala subjectively tortured, starved, and abused Crystal during her formative years. Disturbingly, reports reveal that the child was often bound and gagged in a small dog crate for extended periods.
On the day of her death, Crystal was allegedly bound and suffocated with a towel, ultimately left to die within a sealed cardboard box. The discovery of her remains occurred on November 30, 1998, when a hunter stumbled upon them in the Arizona desert. It was not until 2014 that investigators were able to officially identify the remains as belonging to Crystal. This identification was facilitated by DNA comparisons with samples taken from Somoza and Darren Stockwell, Crystal’s biological father.
The investigation into Crystal’s death took years to progress, but in December 2014, prosecutors were able to charge both Somoza and Tamala with first-degree murder, following a breakthrough in evidence. The U.S. Marshal’s Service indicated that the authorities involved in the case showed a persistent determination to bring both suspects to justice.
Interestingly, Somoza has an extensive criminal history tied to drug trafficking activities along the southern Arizona border during the 1980s and 1990s. After her arrest in 1993 for selling and transporting marijuana, she agreed to work as a confidential informant for local law enforcement. However, during this time, she became romantically involved with Tamala, which led to their subsequent arrests in 1999 on drug and weapons charges. By then, Crystal’s remains had already been discovered.
After serving an eight-year federal prison sentence, Somoza was released and deported to Mexico in 2008, where she managed to evade authorities until recently. Following her arrest, the U.S. Marshal’s Service announced that they would continue to work with several agencies to ensure her return to Arizona, where she will face the charges against her.
The case has drawn attention not only for the heinous nature of the crime but also for the drawn-out pursuit of justice for Crystal Reyes. As developments unfold, both the community and authorities remain hopeful for a resolution that honours the memory of Crystal and provides a sense of closure to her tragic story.