local
Jury convicts Houston man Erik Arceneaux of murdering then girlfriend Maria Rodriguez
By Jaewon Jung at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 3, 2026
· 3 min read
Nearly eight years after Houston mother Maria Rodriguez disappeared without a trace, a Harris County jury found her then-boyfriend Erik Arceneaux guilty of murdering her.On Thursday, jurors found Arceneaux guilty of murder after less than three hours of deliberation, bringing an end to a case pro...
Key takeaway Rodriguez, 29, was reported missing in June 2018 after she dropped off her young daughter at a babysitter’s home in northeast Houston and never showed up for work.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The guilty verdict in the Erik Arceneaux trial brings closure to a case that has haunted the Houston community, particularly in northeast Houston where Maria Rodriguez was last seen. The use of digital evidence to solve the case highlights the importance of law enforcement's ability to adapt to new technologies and methods of investigation. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare's personal involvement in the case demonstrates the priority given to seeking justice for victims and their families. As the case moves forward to sentencing, the community will be watching to see that justice is fully served. The fact that this case was solved without the recovery of Rodriguez's remains also underscores the need for continued support and resources for the families of missing persons in Harris County, who often face years of uncertainty and waiting for accountability.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Nearly eight years after Houston mother Maria Rodriguez disappeared without a trace, a Harris County jury found her then-boyfriend Erik Arceneaux guilty of murdering her.On Thursday, jurors found Arceneaux guilty of murder after less than three hours of deliberation, bringing an end to a case pro...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jaewon Jung at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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