Wendy Karina Garcia, a 38-year-old registered nurse and mother of four, was found dead inside her Maverick County home early Saturday, in what authorities are investigating as a suspected domestic violence case. Her husband, 36-year-old Gustavo Garcia, was arrested in connection with her death and now faces murder and tampering with evidence charges, with combined bonds totaling $1.6 million.
Maverick County deputies responded to a 911 call at a home in the Rosita Valley area on Oct. 24, according to KENS 5. Deputies found Garcia's body on the floor inside the home, and investigators recovered a weapon and a shell casing at the scene. Her body was later taken to Laredo for an autopsy.
Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber identified the victim as Wendy Karina Garcia and confirmed that Gustavo Garcia, her husband, was arrested in connection with her death. He is currently held in the Maverick County jail. The Maverick County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers are jointly investigating the case, and the sheriff did not provide details about Garcia's injuries.
A Community Mourns a Frontline Caregiver
Garcia worked in emergency care at a hospital in Eagle Pass, according to Zócalo, which reported that colleagues in the city's emergency-response community were mourning her loss. A GoFundMe was created to help Garcia's family in the aftermath of her death, though organizer details and a fundraising total were not available.
No Local Shelter Leaves Survivors With Few Options
Garcia's death has renewed concerns about the lack of domestic violence resources in Maverick County, where there is no local women's shelter. “We don't have women's shelter. That's very critical,” Schmerber said, per the same KENS 5 report. The nearest shelter, he said, is located in Carrizo Springs, roughly 45 miles away.
That distance can make it difficult for survivors to leave their communities, particularly those with children attending school in Eagle Pass, the station's report noted. The facility he referenced appears to be the Wintergarden Women's Shelter, which serves Dimmit, Zavala, La Salle and Maverick counties from its base in Carrizo Springs. The shelter itself acknowledges that its location creates transportation challenges, noting it sits a 45-minute drive from other towns in its service area where inexpensive daily transportation is limited. Beyond emergency housing, the shelter says it provides extended stays, counseling, transportation, advocacy, and information and referrals.
Sheriff's Office Pushes for a Shelter in Eagle Pass
The Maverick County Sheriff's Department is now working to establish a shelter in Eagle Pass. On Oct. 22, the department held a lotería fundraiser to benefit the proposed shelter, which Schmerber said raised thousands of dollars. He said the proposed shelter still needs more support before it can become a reality, and that he hopes community members able to help will step forward.
Schmerber urged people experiencing abuse to seek assistance before situations escalate, saying victims should tell the sheriff about problems before tragedy occurs. The Maverick County Sheriff's Office accepts contact from people experiencing domestic violence or concerned about someone in danger. The case comes during October, which is observed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a period during which the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has highlighted resources available to survivors of family and domestic violence statewide. Anyone in need of help can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
