Life Sentence for Double Murder and Arson
Rosendo Jesus Montoya, 28, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after accepting a plea deal for the murders of Mary Heinz, 33, and her roommate, Laura West, 43. The plea deal spares Montoya the death penalty.
Obsession and Confession
Montoya reportedly confessed to killing both women, driven by an obsession with West, his coworker at McDonald’s with whom he had briefly dated. According to Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward, Montoya had become “obsessed” with West and began stalking her. The motive behind Montoya’s actions remains unclear, but his violent obsession culminated in a deadly confrontation.
Discovery of the Crime
West’s body was discovered in her home on Peach Tree in Leming, Texas, a small community about 30 miles south of San Antonio. Investigators examining local surveillance footage observed Montoya disposing of two plastic bags in dumpsters near his workplace in Pleasanton. Upon retrieving the bags, investigators found partial human remains. Montoya was arrested and subsequently confessed to the murders, leading authorities to Heinz’s body near a country road five miles north of Poteet.
Details of the Murders
Both women had been shot in the head. Montoya left West’s body in her home and set the house on fire. Heinz’s body was found after Montoya led investigators to the location.
Swift Justice and Community Impact
Atascosa County District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis remarked on the unusual speed of the case’s resolution, stating, “It’s almost unheard of to resolve a capital murder case in just a year.” Louis emphasized the importance of achieving justice for the victims’ families without subjecting them to the emotional strain of a trial and potential appeals.
The murders were discovered early in the morning on June 29, 2023, when deputies and firefighters responded to reports of a fire at West’s home in Leming. West had become collateral damage after returning home during the murder of Heinz.
