A Texas man who murdered his ex-girlfriend in a chilling 2023 case will now spend decades behind bars.
Mario Chacon pleaded guilty to murder on Feb. 20, according to the Midland County District Attorney’s Office. Multiple local outlets report he was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the killing, along with 20 years for tampering with evidence. The sentences will run at the same time.
The victim, 20-year-old Madeline Molina Pantoja, disappeared in May 2023 from Midland, Texas. Police said she vanished without her car or her phone — a detail that immediately raised red flags.
More troubling signs surfaced inside her home. According to court documents cited by local media, investigators noted that a coffee table was missing from the residence and that Pantoja’s dog had been left behind without food or water.
More than a week after she was reported missing, authorities made a grim discovery. Pantoja’s body was found in a field.
One outlet, citing a source close to the investigation, reported that her body was discovered inside the missing coffee table. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that specific detail.
Investigators also revealed that Pantoja had recently ended her relationship with Chacon before her death.
The case shocked the Midland community, particularly because of the victim’s young age and the disturbing details that emerged during the investigation.
Prosecutors say Chacon will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
Why would he be eligible for parole, he is a murderer.
Why don’t these evil people just plead guilty and save the nation a trial