One phone query led detectives to 2019 Bexar County murder suspect

Cold case investigators in southwest Texas relied on digital forensics to solve a homicide from 2019 that had gone unsolved for nearly a decade. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Joey Emiliano Tovar-Vargas on Thursday, marking a new development in the death of Meagan Gonzales, who was 20 years old at the time.

Detectives contacted Eddie Gonzales, the victim’s father, on Saturday, October 31, to inform him of the arrest. Two days after the booking, Tovar-Vargas faces charges related to the disposal of a body and tampering with evidence. He has not yet been charged with murder, though the homicide investigation remains active.

The breakthrough came from a re-examination of Tovar-Vargas’ cellphone using technology that was not available during the initial 2019 investigation. Sheriff Javier Salazar stated that the device provided a key source of evidence. Cellphone records placed the suspect near locations where Gonzales’ personal items were recovered. The phone also contained search queries regarding the persistence of fingerprints and methods for deleting social media accounts.

Digital photos stored on the device showed a blanket with a distinctive pattern inside Tovar-Vargas’ home before Gonzales disappeared. Investigators noted that her body was found wrapped in a blanket with a matching design. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect dumping items in the days following her disappearance and described an instance where he asked a witness for assistance in moving a body.

Gonzales was last seen alive on November 11, 2019, riding in a vehicle with Tovar-Vargas. She was reported missing four days later. Authorities located her truck near Northwest Loop 410 on December 2, 2019. DNA testing linked blood found in the truck bed to Gonzales. Her body was discovered the next day in the 12000 block of Wisdom Road, where officials described her remains as burned beyond recognition.

The sheriff’s office identified Tovar-Vargas as a suspect early in the case but lacked sufficient physical evidence to proceed. The investigation stalled until the cold case team applied new digital tools. Tovar-Vargas has a extensive criminal history and is a suspect in domestic violence cases involving three other women, all of whom are alive. While investigators believe the pair were dating, no prior reports of violence existed between them.

Eddie Gonzales said he had not lost hope during the seven-year wait but felt a sense of relief following the arrest. He noted that the allegations regarding other women raised concerns about the suspect’s behavior. Tovar-Vargas was held in the Bexar County jail as of Monday night. The sheriff’s office does not currently believe other suspects are involved in the homicide, and they have not filed a murder charge.