A suspect in the murder of an 80-year-old man called police in Texas and confessed to killing two people, officers said.

Authorities said the phone call triggered a manhunt, leading to the arrest of Raul Meza this week. The 62-year-old was detained in Austin on Monday – five days after the call.

He has been called a “person of interest” in the stabbing of Jesse Fraga, an 80-year-old man whose body was found on 20 May.

A statement released by the police department in Pflugerville, Texas said: “On Saturday, May 20, at approximately 12.30pm officers responded to a check welfare call at a residence on the 700 block of Camp Fire Trail.

“Upon entering the home, officers found a deceased male,” the statement said.

“This is an active investigation and detectives have identified Raul Meza Jr as a person of interest.”

‘You’re looking for me’

According to officers in Austin, Meza made a call to the police on 24 May and told them he was aware authorities were looking for him.

Detective Patrick Reed told reporters on Tuesday: “The caller stated, ‘My name is Raul Meza, and you’re looking for me.'”

Mr Reed said Meza then confessed to killing Mr Fraga and revealed details of the murder before admitting to another homicide.

“‘I got out [of prison] in 2016, I end up murdering a lady soon afterwards. It was on Sara Drive,'” Meza told police, according to Mr Reed.

‘Considered armed and dangerous’

In 2019, Gloria Lofton,66, was found dead in her bedroom, partially clothes and the investigation revealed that Ms Lofton had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

DNA found at the crime scene matched Meza’s, police claimed.

Deputy Marshal Brandon Filla added: “Raul Meza was considered armed and dangerous”

Upon Meza’s arrest, authorities said they found zip ties, duct tape, a flashlight, a 22-calibre pistol and rounds on the suspect.

Police said Meza had also admitted to planning more murders.

He was “ready and prepared to kill again, and he was looking forward to it,” Mr Reed added.

Read more from Sky News:
Remains of Arizona woman left strangled in trunk identified by police
Three teenagers arrested after ‘stealing prized swan before killing and eating it’

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Police also said they are looking into possible links between Meza and several unsolved murders going back to the 1990s.

“There is a good possibility that we will find additional cases,” Austin police Detective Katy Conner said.

“Right now, we have between eight and 10 cases that kind of fit these similar circumstances that we’re looking at, but that can obviously grow,” she added.

In 1982, Meza was also arrested for the murder and sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl.

He spent 11 years behind bars.

Related posts:

EU regulator reviewing possible links between Johnson & Johnson jab and blood clots British-flagged vessel sinks in Greece, coast guard says Instagram apologises for removing Penelope Cruz film poster showing lactating nipple ‘A woman who made a difference’: Funeral held for murdered primary school teacher Ashling Murphy ‘What we’re seeing is incredibly harrowing’: UK police describe Ukraine war crime evidence Ukraine’s top prosecutor accuses Russia of pre-planning mass murder, torture and rape ‘It is heartbreaking’: Families mourn 11 newborn babies who died after fire at Senegal hospital neonatal ward Andy Murray knocked out of US Open third round by Italy’s Matteo Berrettini Former Liberian rebel on trial for crimes against humanity, including pulling a man’s heart out of his body ‘It united our spirit’: Ukrainians sing while sheltering from missile attacks Australian man killed in shark attack at New Caledonia beach 4-foot alligator found in park lake