Irasema Chavez was found dead by a family member in her apartment in the 2700 block of S. Collins Street on Jan. 20, 2012. According to a police statement Monday, detectives pursued many leads but struggled to definitively identify a suspect.
The homicide unit met with the FBI Dallas Field Office in Nov. 2024 to discuss whether the case qualified for the Investigative Genetic Genealogy program. With the FBI’s help, investigators had a significant break in the case in early 2026, which led to the woman’s arrest.
The woman was booked into the Tarrant County jail on July 17 with no bond set, according to jail records. She faces a charge of capital murder by terroristic threat.
Police and FBI officials are expected to release further details about the investigation Wednesday at a news conference.