Funeral held for teen killed near Addicks Reservoir

HARRIS COUNTY, TexasJessica Carrillo, 13, stared down at the gun-metal grey casket, holding the mutilated body of her best friend, 14-year-old Jose Luis Meraz.

"It's just sad knowing I am saying goodbye to my best friend and he's not coming back again, ever," she said.

Meraz is the eighth grade soccer player from Stovall Middle who died a violent death after family members said he was attacked by someone wielding a machete near Addicks Reservoir.

Police aren't saying what the motive was or who the killer or killers are. But multiple sources told Local 2 Investigates that Jose was murdered by teenage gang members angry with him because he would not join their gang.

Funeral services for Meraz were held Sunday inside the packed Leal Funeral Home in Jacinto City, but both of Jose's parents were unable to attend because they are living thousands of miles away in Honduras.

On Sunday, plans were underway to ship Jose's remains back to his heart broken family in Honduras.

But Juan Arteaga said it is a complex process dealing with the Honduran Government and arranging for air travel into that country.

As of Sunday night, police had yet to make any arrests in the teen's slaying.

All funeral services for Jose were provided free by Joaquin Leal, the owner of Leal Funeral Home.


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