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Del Valle mother charged with murder, tampering in man's 2018 death

Police said the woman also confessed to sending texts meant to make it appear he was still alive.

DEL VALLE, Texas — Almost one year after a man was found dead in southeast Travis County, the mother of his two children has been charged with murder.

Deputies responded to the 9800 block of Blocker Lane on July 11, 2018, to investigate reports of a suspicious odor. There, the body of Johnny Cardenas, 31, was found deceased off the roadway. Police said Cardena's body was found approximately 100 yards from their home. 

On Feb. 19, 2019, deputies arrested Stephanie Marie Ray, 33, of Del Valle under chargers of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Detectives believe Ray may have cleaned the crime scene and removed the man's body in an effort to conceal the crime from law enforcement.

RELATED: Police identify body found in SE Travis County on Wednesday

On July 3, police added a murder charge stating that Ray confessed to shooting Cardenas and that she sent text messages to make it appear he was still alive.

Ray's bond was set at $50,000 for the tampering charge and $75,000 for the murder charge. She remains in custody as of July 9, 2019.

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