Skeletal remains found hidden in mattress identified as missing man

HOUSTON – Authorities have confirmed the identity of the skeletal remains found hidden in a mattress in a southwest Houston condominium. 

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the remains are those of Carlos Rios, 24, who was reported missing on March 1 and was last seen at the complex on Club Creek Drive and Country Creek Street.

Rios’ body was found wrapped and hidden between a mattress and a box spring on April 19 around 11:45 a.m.

According to neighbors, there had been a smell coming from the unit and there were flies everywhere. 

“I asked the investigator guy what was causing these flies, (and) he said because there was blood everywhere,” said neighbor Sam Syed.

The unit belonged to Jesus Cardenas Valencia, who is now a person of interest in the case, according to police.

Valencia had been detained and questioned when Rios was first reported missing but was later released. 

A neighbor who knew Valencia said police shouldn’t have let him go. 

“I believe he out of the country," Shaun O'Neal said. "He ain’t over here. They messed up. They should have kept him when they had him."

The Medical Examiner did not say how Rios died.


About the Author:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.