Marcelo Garcia Obituary, Death; – A 38-year-old woman has been formally charged with murder in connection with the death of a Houston firefighter, as indicated by court records. She is also facing charges of arson.
According to court documents, Yesenia Espinoza Mendez allegedly ignited a fire at a warehouse located in Houston’s East End on November 6, which rapidly escalated and ultimately resulted in the death of firefighter Marcelo Garcia. Another firefighter sustained injuries while attempting to extinguish the blaze. The Houston Fire Department reported that Garcia lost his life when a wall collapsed during his efforts to combat the fire.
Court records reveal that Houston METRO police identified Espinoza as the suspect through facial recognition technology after surveillance footage captured her leaving the scene and boarding a METRO train. She was apprehended on November 9.
Assistant District Attorney Keegan Childers stated, “They discovered surveillance videos nearby which showed that the defendant was the only one who had access to that warehouse at the time and that she had dropped a red lighter nearby.” Before the murder charge was filed, Espinoza had been granted a surety bond of $100,000.
Espinoza is a mother of six, and her family informed KHOU 11 News that she has faced significant challenges in her life, including mental health struggles such as depression. Records indicate that Espinoza is scheduled to return to court on Monday.
In remembrance of firefighter Marcelo Garcia, colleagues at Fire Station 23 took a moment to honor his memory. This station was where he dedicated six years of service and is situated in the community he grew up in and ultimately served. “He was immensely loved,” remarked firefighter Abby Cortez. “His loss has profoundly affected everyone who knew and cared for him.”
Garcia, a 10-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department, was only 42 years old at the time of his passing. His presence continues to resonate within Fire Station 23, whether through his locker, his signature, or his initials on the shift board, as Cortez emphasized that they will cherish these memories while honoring their fallen brother’s life and legacy.
