A Texas man is currently in custody after allegedly murdering a contractor hired for home renovations, concealing the body in a box, and then paying an individual to transport it. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez described the incident as “unusual” in a social media post.
Deputies were called to a residence on Tim Allen Court in Houston around 11 a.m. on a Friday, responding to a hit-and-run report. The driver who had fled the scene was later located by the police. He informed them that he had seen a dead body at a house and that a man, later identified as 36-year-old Steven Eberly, had paid him to assist in moving boxes and furniture from the property.
The driver discovered the body when he arrived at Eberly’s home to carry out the task. He fled the scene in Eberly’s truck, with Eberly attempting to get into the vehicle from the truck bed. Eberly fell off the truck when the driver crashed the vehicle. He was subsequently apprehended by the police.
Investigators established that the contractor had been engaged in home renovations. Eberly’s girlfriend, who also resided at the house, was interviewed by local NBC affiliate KPRC. She confirmed that the contractor had been working on a bathroom renovation and that she was at work when the incident took place.
Court records identified the victim as Luis Silva-Mendez. Following the crash, Eberly was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was later transported to the Harris County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Eberly faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence, as he is accused of attempting to hide the murder weapon and a cell phone to obstruct their use as evidence in the investigation.
The motive behind the homicide remains unclear. Eberly is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.