The Castro County Sheriff’s Office on Monday said Mark Longoria, 36, of Earth was arrested for murder.
CCSO said there was a 9-1-1 call Saturday morning about someone in a ditch in Southwestern Castro County.
“Upon arrival of Sheriff’s Office personnel, it was evident that the person was deceased from gunshot wound,” CCSO said.
Later that evening Longoria was arrested with help from the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office.
“Evidence was collected from several locations in Earth tied to the homicide investigation,” CCSO said. “The victim has been identified, but her name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.”
On Tuesday, authorities identified the victim as Mysti Amber Goddard, 32, of Amarillo.
The following is a statement released by the Castro County Sheriff’s Office on Monday:
On April 21, 2018 at approximately 9:55 a.m. the Castro County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications received a call about a person laying in a ditch on County Road 510 in the southwestern area of Castro County. The caller reported that he was unsure if the person was alive. Upon arrival of Sheriff’s Office personnel, it was evident that the person was deceased from gunshot wound. The Sheriff’s Office along with the Texas Rangers conducted the investigation into the death of the white female. Through investigation, a suspect was identified. The suspect identified as Mark Longoria, 36, of Earth was taken into custody at approximately 6:55 p.m. in Earth, Texas with the assistance of the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office. Evidence was collected from several locations in Earth tied to the homicide investigation. Longoria was booked into the Castro County Jail for Murder. He was arraigned on April 23, 2018 and his bond was set at $100,000. The victim has been identified, but her name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
