Man arrested, accused in murder of Pasadena college student

PASADENA, Texas – A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection to the death of a college student from Pasadena.

Nickalous Ahmed Benjamin is charged with murder and tampering with a human corpse in the case of Payas Deo.

• 20-year-old Pasadena man died from gunshot wounds, officials say

Deo, a UHCL student, disappeared on Feb. 8 after leaving his home in The Reserve at Clear Lake, according to his family. When he pulled out of the driveway of their Peony Meadow Trail home, he would not be heard from or seen again.

Texas EquuSearch and the Pasadena Police Department searched for Deo after he was reported missing.

• Body of missing 20-year-old Pasadena man found in SE Houston

On Mar. 1, Deo’s body was found in southeast Houston near Dumas Street. Medical examiners say Deo died from gunshot wounds to the head and neck area. They also ruled his death a homicide.

Right now, other details on Benjamin’s arrest are limited.