2 teens charged with murder in 15-year-old girl's death

HOUSTON – Sources say evidence of an occult ritual was discovered in a vacant Clear Lake apartment near the body of a 15-year-old girl.

Two teenage boys are in custody and charged with her murder. Jose Reyes, 17 is charged along with a 16-year-old accomplice.

Houston police said Reyes was picked up at his family's apartment in the 2300 block of Bay Area Boulevard  on Sunday. HPD Homicide officers were tipped by Webster police after Reyes allegedly admitted to a relative he had killed the girl.

Officials said the other teen was arrested at school on Monday.

A family friend said investigators asked family members if Reyes was a devil worshiper.

"They were saying something about how he carved some type of religious...I don't know, I don't know what happened," said family member Agapita Gonzales.

Houston police refuse to comment on evidence collected at the crime scene.

The victim is identified as Corriann Cervantes, 15, a Clear Lake High School student who was also assigned at some point to Clear Path Alternative School in La Porte where she allegedly met the 16-year-old charged in her death.

Investigators said Cervantes body was partially nude when she was found, and there is evidence she was sexually assaulted. Police found objects inserted in her body.

At a magistrate's hearing Monday, prosecutors alleged Reyes confessed to the killing, admitting that after Cervantes was taken to the apartment in the 16400 block of El Camino Real, she tried to get away.

"The defendant admitted the complainant attempted to leave apartment several times," according to the probable cause affidavit read in court, "but he struck her over the head with an ashtray, and prevented her from being able to leave."

The girl was allegedly beaten to death, according to court documents.

"Complainant sustained significant head trauma and multiple injuries over her entire body. There was a broken toilet tank around the head of the complainant, and parts of it were embedded into her skull."

Cervantes body was discovered at 4:15 a.m. Saturday by a man was walking through Bay Apartments when he passed by a vacant unit with the door wide open.

Police said the man walked in and found the girl's body. Authorities originally believed the victim was in her 30s.

Cervantes' family was unavailable. Her mother was so overcome by grief she was taken to a local hospital Monday afternoon for a medical checkup.

Both teens are charged with capital murder. Reyes is being held without bond.