TYLER, Texas — A newly released autopsy report has revealed what caused the death of Jose Alejandro “Alex” Perez, a Tyler man who was found dead in a ditch nine days after he was reported missing.
According to a report from the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas, Perez's death was ruled a homicide caused by "homicidal violence including chop/blunt force and neck compression."
Smith County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Derrick Choice, who ordered the autopsy, said Wednesday the preliminary finding indicated that Perez's body was "chopped up and mangled." Choice said the detectives involved in the case will move forward with the investigation.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Perez family and we have confidence to in the Smith County Sheriff's Office that they will indeed investigate this homicide and perhaps bring those responsible to justice," Choice said.
Choice noted that the full autopsy report should be available in early August.
The body of Perez, 44, was found in the 15400 block of FM 346 East on May 5 on an oil well service road about 100 yards off FM 346. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the remains were found in a ditch that had previously been underwater. After his body was located, an autopsy was requested.
Prior to his body being found, Perez had been missing since April 26 when he was last seen at the Towne Oaks Apartments in Tyler. Three days later, police found Perez's vehicle at the Autumn Glen Apartments off Hollytree Drive, just a couple of streets from where he was last seen.
Anyone who has any information about this case is urged to call Tyler police at 903-531-1000.