West Texas law enforcement are one step closer to finding out what happened to Zuzu Verk, a 22-year-old college student who disappeared in October.
After months with no leads, human remains belonging to Verk were found near Alpine during a routine border patrol operation Friday. Alpine Police Chief Russell Scown and Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson confirmed Monday the remains, which were identified through dental records, where indeed Verk’s.
So far two people have been arrested in relation to Verk’s death — Robert Fabian and Christopher Estrada.
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Scown said Estrada was arrested in Pheonix, Arizona Monday and was charged with tampering with physical evidence by concealing a human corpse, a second-degree felony punishable by a maximum 20 year sentence upon conviction. He said Estrada will be brought back to Texas to face charges.
Fabian was arrested Saturday and was also charged with tampering with physical evidence by concealing a human corpse, according to an Alpine Police Department news release. His bail is set at $500,000.
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Zuzu Verk went missing on Oct. 12, 2016, in Alpine after going on a date.
Zuzu Verk went missing on Oct. 12, 2016, in Alpine after going on a date.
Robert Fabian (left), 25, was named a suspect in the disappearance of Zuzu Verk(right), his girlfriend, Oct. 26, 2016.
Robert Fabian (left), 25, was named a suspect in the disappearance of Zuzu Verk(right), his girlfriend, Oct. 26, 2016.
Christopher Estrada was arrested Jan. 22, 2017 and charged with evading arrest and driving while intoxicated by the Alpine Police Department. Alpine police Capt. Darrell Losoya confirmed to mySA.com that Estrada is a person of interest in Verk’s disappearance.
Christopher Estrada was arrested Jan. 22, 2017 and charged with evading arrest and driving while intoxicated by the Alpine Police Department. Alpine police Capt. Darrell Losoya confirmed to mySA.com that
Robert Fabian, 25, was named a suspect in the disappearance of Zuzu Verk, his girlfriend, Oct. 26, 2016.
Robert Fabian, 25, was named a suspect in the disappearance of Zuzu Verk, his girlfriend, Oct. 26, 2016.
Zuzu Verk went missing on Oct. 12, 2016, in Alpine after going on a date.
Zuzu Verk went missing on Oct. 12, 2016, in Alpine after going on a date.
Zuzu Verk went missing on Oct. 12, 2016, in Alpine after going on a date.
Zuzu Verk went missing on Oct. 12, 2016, in Alpine after going on a date.
Verk, who attended Sul Ross State University, went on a date with Fabian, her boyfriend, on Oct. 11, 2016 and wasn’t heard from again. Three days later, Fabian made a call to police– Verk was missing.
In the days before making his police report, Fabian made two calls to Estrada, and borrowed his white Ford Mustang. Estrada had his mustang cleaned three times in the days following Verk’s disappearance.
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Fabian’s family, including his mother, brother and sister, are considered persons of interest in the case, Scown said. He could not provide additional information as the case is ongoing.
Scown said additional arrests would be made “eventually.”
Sul Ross State University President William Kibler released a statement Monday saying Verk would be remembered for her “smiles, energy and zest for life.”
“She embodied characteristics that represent the best in all of us,” Kobler said.
Verk’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the “Zuzu Verk Memorial Scholarship Fund in Natural Resource Management.” Additionally, a memorial service for Verk will be held at the university Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in one of the university’s amphitheaters.
Staff writer Joshua Fechter contributed to this report.
kbradshaw@express-news.net
Twitter: @kbrad5
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