Lost cell phone helped police identify suspect in dumpster fire murder
UPDATE (June 2, 2026) -- A lost cell phone led to the identification of Heriberto Chavez as a suspect of a murder involving a dumpster fire. ABC-7 obtained the arrest affidavit detailing how police traced the phone to Chavez.
On May 29, El Paso firefighters put out a fire behind the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief and found the body near dumpsters. They notified police, according to documents.
Investigators found video footage showing the victim laying on the ground next to dumpsters, according to documents. Chavez is seen walking up to the victim and putting his phone on the dumpster.
The documents alleged Chavez punched, kicked and stomped the victim's head and torso. In the video, the victim appeared limp and didn't move.
Perez allegedly got cardboard from the dumpster, put it on top of the victim and lit them on fire, documents said. As the fire grew, Perez watched and put more trash to feed the fire. He also allegedly kicked the victim several times again.
Perez left the fire and his phone stayed on the dumpster, documents said. Investigators later found his phone when processing the crime scene.
Video footage from the Nuestra Señora Apartments nearby captured video of Perez and gave investigators a better view of what he looked like.
El Paso Police Department investigators got a search warrant for the cell phone and asked the FBI to gather more evidence from it. The FBI helped get the phone's number, documents said.
On May 31, an EPPD sergeant met with three people, including Perez, on N. Florence Street and Rio Grande Avenue, which is next to the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief. The sergeant detained them because of an open alcohol container, according to documents.
EPPD asked Perez for his number while gathering his personal information. Perez said he lost his phone and police asked for his phone number, which matched the phone found from the murder scene, documents said.
At police headquarters on the open container violation, Perez said he lived on N. Florence Street, documents said. Police also noticed a cut and bruise on his hands -- injuries matching what investigators saw on video.
Perez said he carried a purple lunch bag, which was also found at the crime scene, documents said.
FBI analysis from the found cell phone matched the locations and movement Perez described, documents said.
While a crime scene unit took pictures of Perez, he said his feet were injured after kicking the victim.
UPDATE (June 1, 2026) -- El Paso police said a 41-year-old man is allegedly responsible for the murder of a person found near a dumpster fire Friday. He has been charged with murder.
According to an update police provided Monday, investigators determined the body as a suspicious death.
Police arrested Heriberto Chavez and booked him into the county detention facility without bond, they said.
ABC-7 reached out to Kelly Center for Hunger Relief for security footage, but the organization said it could not provide any.
The body was found at the 900 block of N. Florence Street near the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief.
Police haven't identified the victim. They said this is the sixth murder this year, compared to 11 at this time last year.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Police Department says that the Crimes Against Persons unit is investigating a body that was found after a dumpster fire on the 900 block of Florence Street Friday.
The El Paso Fire Department responded to a call about a dumpster fire at the 900 block of Florence and officials say that was around 9:27 P.M. Friday night.
Our ABC-7 crews captured video of the scene late last night. Crews reported that police were blocking off the areas near the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief in Downtown El Paso.
Officials did not say where the body was found in relation to the fire or any further details regarding the body found.
This is a developing story. We will keep you updated on air and online as we continue to learn more information.
