2 sisters killed in North Texas home day after Thanksgiving were best friends, family says
A suspect was arrested after two women were found shot to death inside a North Texas home the day after Thanksgiving, according to the Farmers Branch Police Department.
Farmers Branch police spokesperson Steven Rutherford told the Star-Telegram Tuesday that an “incident” resulted in the loss of two lives. A suspect was arrested and taken into custody the same day the victims were discovered, according to Rutherford.
The victims were identified by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office as Catalina Valdez Andrade, 47, and Merced Andrade Bailon, 43, who were both found dead early Friday morning in the 13200 block of Castleton Place. The two women were sisters.
The manner of their deaths was listed as homicide. The medical examiner did not list the cause of their deaths, but a police report says the victims were both shot in the head, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Jail records identify the suspect as Jose Santiago Chairez, 50, who faces charges of capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault causing bodily injury to a family member. Chairez also is accused of wounding his daughter in the arm, according to the police report.
The daughter told police that her father shot her and the sisters, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Jasmine Bailon, a relative of Valdez Andrade and Andrade Bailon, organized a GoFundMe for both victims to fund funeral and memorial expenses.
“They were two sisters who were best friends & were beautiful individuals who loved their family & were so devoted to them. They were so loved & so appreciated,” said Jasmine in the GoFundMe. “Merced and Catalina Valdez deserve a memorial as amazing as they were.”
Out of a $25,000 goal, more than $19,000 was raised as of Thursday afternoon.
This story was originally published November 28, 2023 at 4:36 PM.
