Suspect, victim argued over murder weapon before machete killing, affidavit states

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The victim and suspect in a fatal machete attack had an argument regarding the murder weapon before the killing, documents stated.

A probable cause affidavit states that at 8:45 p.m. on June 5, police responded to a residence at the 2000 block of Houston Avenue after Sorto had not been seen for two days. On June 6, detectives returned to the residence where they detected an odor of a decomposing body coming from one of the rooms, which belonged to Reyes.

Detectives entered the room and found Sorto dead on the bed covered in blankets and clothing, with several deep lacerations to his head. Detectives also reported seeing an empty machete sheath hanging on the wall in another area of the home.

Detectives interviewed one of the residents, who said that Reyes and Sorto had an argument regarding Reyes taking Sorto's machete.

Through the investigation, it was learned that Sorto was last seen alive at the residence on the night of June 3.

Sorto had sent a text message to someone the following day, and Reyes was seen "sweaty," claiming he locked himself out of his room. It was also learned that Reyes asked for money, left the residence and had not been seen since. Surveillance video showed a person matching Reyes' description in the area of the crime scene the night of June 4.

An autopsy listed Sorto's cause of death as "multiple chop wounds to head and upper extremities," the affidavit stated.

ValleyCentral spoke with McAllen police, who said Reyes was located and arrested on Saturday. He remains jailed at the Hidalgo County Jail on a $1 million bond.