Border Patrol agent charged with murder in wife’s death

LAREDO, Texas (KGNS/Gray News) — A U.S. Border Patrol agent in Texas has been charged in connection with the death of his wife.

Abel Garza, 30, has been charged with murder, a first-degree felony, in the death of his wife, 28-year-old Mayra Alejandra Landeros, after a domestic disturbance in south Laredo.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed in a statement that Garza is a Border Patrol agent.

Garza also is charged with two counts of endangering a child and two counts of abandonment of a child. All four counts are second-degree felonies.

He was transported to Webb County Jail, and his bond was set at $1 million.

What police say happened

The incident happened just before 3 a.m. Wednesday at a home near Texana Street and Nocona Street.

Chief Miguel Rodriguez said police were initially called about a man knocking on doors asking for help. A police drone spotted a car leaving as officers arrived. Officers stopped the car and found Landeros in the back floorboard with critical stab wounds.

Landeros died later at the hospital. Her death marks Laredo’s sixth homicide of 2026.

Driver detained, children found safe

The 30-year-old driver, later identified as Garza, was detained. Police said the two were a couple. Officers found two children safe at the home.

“The person is in LPD custody, but they’re still in the process of formulating charges with the District Attorney’s Office guiding us,” Joe Baeza, of the Laredo Police Department, said.

CBP statement

In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the man is an off-duty Laredo Sector agent who was arrested at 6 a.m. The agency said its Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the case.