Victim in McAllen homicide was killed with machete, docs say

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The victim in a McAllen homicide investigation was killed with a machete, documents revealed.

Last week, McAllen police announced they were investigating the death of Jose Edgardo Sorto. They also announced that they were searching for 26-year-old Hector Neptaly Reyes Mendoza on an active warrant for murder, and had arrested Mario Nelson Amaya on a charge of false report to a police officer.

The affidavit for Amaya's arrest provided new details in the death of Sorto, including the manner in which he was allegedly killed.

At 8:45 p.m. on June 5, McAllen police responded to the 2000 block of Houston Avenue in reference to a welfare concern. Police stated that Sorto, who resided at the location, had not been seen for two days.

On June 6, detectives responded and detected the odor of a decomposing body coming from one of the rooms, the affidavit stated. The room in question belonged to another man who also resided at the same location.

Detectives spoke with Amaya, who at first said he knew the manner in which he was killed. In a second interview, Amaya said he never made the initial statement.

The affidavit states that Amaya, with intent to deceive a detective, knew that Sorto was killed with a machete but later denied knowing it.

In the first interview, Amaya had also said he did not have any photos of the person of interest, but later provided photos of the person he had on his phone, the document stated.

Additionally, Amaya told police that he had not spoken with the suspect since June 4, but a search of his phone revealed that he had called him on June 5, according to the affidavit.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for Amaya's vehicle, which revealed evidence in the backseat that was "possibly tied to the investigation," the document adds.

Amaya was arraigned June 8 and his bond was set at $2,000. He was released from jail the following day.

Mendoza remains at large and those with information are asked to contact the McAllen Police Department.