A brutal act of domestic violence shattered a birthday celebration in northeast Austin when 26-year-old Jose Reynaldo Martinez-Argueta fatally stabbed his wife during an outburst of jealousy. According to CBS Austin, early Sunday morning on Jan. 21 became the scene of a tragic end for 30-year-old Maryuri Leticia Reconco. Martinez-Argueta, enraged during the party by another man offering his phone to Reconco for better-quality photos, later attacked her in their room as she shouted for help.
Following the commotion that unfolded during the fatal evening, a homeowner, residing at 12310 Uttimer Lane, told Martinez-Argueta that he would have to leave their shared residence the next day. In a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin, witnesses recounted how the suspect was seen attempting to hide a kitchen knife before the guests were ordered to leave. The tragic events escalated quickly after the party disbanded, leading to a fatal confrontation.
The attack led to more violence, as one of the residents attempted to intervene after hearing Reconco's cries but was himself assaulted by Martinez-Argueta. He managed to escape and alert party guests outside, who called 911. In a harrowing attempt to protect her children, the homeowner's wife hid with them in a closet, overhearing the brutal attack and insults hurled by Martinez-Argueta toward Reconco. The chilling details, as recounted by authorities, reveal the suspect spared the homeowner's wife because he stated she was "needed to take care of his child," according to the affidavit reported by CBS Austin.
Officers, responding to the scene around 12:37 a.m., arrived to chilling screams inside the house. Breaking in, they encountered Martinez-Argueta attacking another victim and fatally shot him. Survivors were rushed to the hospital, but Reconco's injuries were too severe, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Martinez-Argueta now faces charges of first-degree felony murder with bail set at $3.1 million, based on online records reported by FOX 7 Austin.
