HARRIS COUNTY, Texas– Authorities held a press conference Wednesday announcing the capture of William Joseph Greer, who was listed as one of the U.S. Marshal’s Top 15 “Most Wanted Fugitives.”
Greer was charged in the death of Tammy Marie Esquivel, his girlfriend who was killed more than 10 years ago.
On Dec. 19, 2006, Greer got into an altercation with Esquivel in their residence, deputies said. Greer’s son saw him drag the woman to the master bedroom, and then heard a gun shot.
Greer was arrested for public intoxication on Dec. 22, and told deputies that he accidentally shot his girlfriend in the chest and watched her die, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies did not discover a body at Greer’s residence, so they released him after he served time for the intoxication charge.
According to deputies, the next day, Greer borrowed someone’s vehicle and fled the state. Authorities searched through Greer’s home and found evidence of foul play.
However, Esquivel’s body was never found in the home.
United States Marshal Chief Deputy Rich Hunter said Greer was located in a very rural area of Mexico, where he was residing with a female companion and two children. He was also using a different name at the time.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said, “The arrest sends a strong message that Harris County never forgets victims, and that we will pursue killers no matter where they hide.”
Gonzalez also paid homage to Esquivel’s family.
“To the family of Tammy Esquivel, I want to express our sincere sympathy for her death. And our gratitude for their perseverance as we sought to bring justice to her killer,” he said.
Greer is currently in custody in Mexico.
Watch the livestream below for more details.
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