Tuesday, September 25, 2007

UPDATED: Police investigating burnt, lifeless body of UNT student discovered in Carrollton

By Pegasus News wire

Updated 05:26 p.m., October 1, 2007

Ernesto Pina Reyes

CARROLLTON — On September 25 at approximately 11:18 am, Carrollton Police responded to a report of a deceased person in the 3200 block of Keller Springs Road. The victim is a Caucasian female approximately 20 years old, approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 120 pounds, brown hair with highlights. She was wearing a short denim skirt with a brown belt, white tank top under a gold and red print top. The victim’s body was burned at the scene and her identity is unknown at this time. The cause of death also is unknown at this time.

Investigators determined the female was seen at approximately 1:40 a.m. at a convenience store at Mayhill Road and Interstate 35 E in Denton, Texas. The victim was seen talking to an unidentified male at the store and both were seen leaving together in the victim's red 2002 Saturn 2 door with Texas license plate Z57WBT.

The male seen with the victim is a person of interest and Carrollton investigators are attempting to locate this person to speak with him. Investigators are hopeful this person may have some helpful information.

The Carrollton Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying this person of interest and locating the victim's vehicle, which is still missing at this time.

The Carrollton Police Department and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office are currently investigating this offense. If anyone has any information on this offense please contact the Carrollton Police Department at (972) 466-3322.

UPDATE: On Sept. 26, at approximately 12:45 p.m. the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office positively identified the deceased burn victim as 19-year-old Melanie Goodwin of Arlington. The family of the victim has been notified and requested any questions be directed to the family spokesperson, Matthew Bobo at 817-966-3329. At this time the cause of death is still under investigation.

UPDATE: During the evening hours of Sept. 26 Carrollton Police investigators obtained a warrant of arrest for the suspect in the slaying of Melanie Goodwin. A warrant for murder has been issued for Ernesto Reyes, Hispanic male, birth date 1/13/87, of Denton, Texas. At this time the location of Ernesto Reyes is unknown. If anyone sees Ernesto Reyes they should contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.

UPDATE: The Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled on Sept. 27 that Goodwin died of multiple blunt force injuries.

UPDATE: As of 3:45 p.m., Sept. 27 Carrollton Police investigators continue their investigation into the slaying of Melanie Goodwin. As reported earlier, a suspect has been identified and a warrant of arrest has been issued for 20-year-old Ernesto Pina Reyes of Denton, Texas, height 6 feet 0 inches, stocky build, weight approximately 245 pounds, black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white striped shirt, short pants and white tennis shoes. At this time investigators believe that Ms. Goodwin did not know Mr. Reyes. The search for Mr. Reyes continues and the Carrollton Police Department ask that anyone with information regarding the location of Mr. Reyes contact their local police department immediately.

UPDATE: The Carrollton Police Department has established a dedicated tip line for this case. Anyone with information related to this case may call (972) 466-4775 and leave a message for investigators. Carrollton Police investigators are asking that if Mr. Reyes is seen, you should immediately contact your local police agency and report this information.

UPDATE: On Sept. 27, at approximately 7:30 p.m. Carrollton Police investigators arrested a subject on charges related to the slaying of Melanie Goodwin. Donovan R. Young, a 19-year-old Carrollton resident was taken into custody at the Carrollton Police Department and currently is being held on the charge of tampering with evidence.

At this time Carrollton Police investigators continue their investigation into the slaying of Melanie Goodwin.

UPDATE: Mr. Matthew Bobo, spokesperson for the Goodwin family, today announced a reward fund has been established in the amount of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Ernesto Pina Reyes. This funding has been made possible by the generosity of the employees of the Southern Reservation Office of American Airlines as well as numerous friends of the Goodwin family.

Any person with information related to this crime or the location of Mr. Ernesto Pina Reyes can contact their local police department or call a recorded tip hotline established by the Carrollton Police Department at (972) 466-4775.

Source: Carrollton Police Department

Related stories

• Homicide suspect Ernesto Reyes extradited to United States (May 21, 2008)
• UPDATED: University of North Texas student’s burned body found in Carrollton (Oct. 9, 2007)

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• Crime