Austin, Texas priest found murdered in Mexico

Austin, Texas, Apr 6, 2009 / 19:17 pm

A Diocese of Austin priest who had disappeared while preparing a retirement home in the border town of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was found murdered on the side of a highway near the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning, Bishop of Austin Gregory Aymond confirmed that the body of 69-year-old Fr. Jesse Euresti had been identified by his sister.

The priest’s body was awaiting autopsy in Mexico before it would be released to the archdiocese, Fox 7 of Austin reports.

Fr. Euresti, a priest at Cristo Rey Catholic Church in east Austin, was last heard from on early Tuesday morning when he called his sister to tell her he was close to the border. Later on Tuesday, the priest’s Nuevo Laredo neighbors called police after finding the priest’s garage door wide open.

Mexican police discovered blood and a knife inside of the home and feared foul play was involved.

Bishop Aymond said a caretaker, Manuel Martin Torres -Saldana, who lived in the same Nuevo Laredo house with Fr. Euresti, is considered the prime suspect in the murder investigation.

Cristo Rey Church will hold a special service for Fr. Euresti on Tuesday afternoon, with Bishop Aymond presiding. Local parishioners are invited to attend.