Houston Police Department
2nd UPDATE: 2nd Suspect Arrested, Charged in Woman's Death at 425 North Sam Houston Parkway East

March 20, 2015 - Charges have been filed against a second suspect arrested in the death of a woman found at 425 North Sam Houston Parkway East about 9:20 a.m. on May 17, 2014.  

The suspect, Melissa Ann Martinez (H/f, 40), is charged with two counts of manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance and one count of purchasing/furnishing alcohol to a minor in the 183rd State District Court.  

Her son, Eddie M. Herrera (H/m, 18), was previously arrested and charged with aggravated assault in the 183rd State District Court.  He is accused for his role in the death of his girlfriend, Jacqueline Gomez, 17, of Houston.  

Photos of Herrera and Martinez are attached to this news release.  

HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officers T. Miller and M. Miller reported:

Ms. Gomez, a high school senior, attended her prom the previous evening at the above address and then returned to a room at the same location, the Hyatt Regency North, along with her boyfriend.  The boyfriend stated the couple consumed alcohol before falling asleep in the room.  When Ms. Gomez's boyfriend awoke the next morning, he could not wake up Gomez.  Houston Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced her deceased.

An initial investigation identified Herrera as the suspect in this case.  He was arrested on Jan. 14 and admitted to choking Gomez during the evening.  

Further investigation determined Martinez was also a suspect in this case.  She was arrested on Thursday (March 19) and has admitted to investigators she provided alcohol and narcotics to Herrera and Gomez.  

The motive and official cause of Gomez's death remain under investigation.  


Eddie M. Herrera
Eddie M. Herrera

Melissa Martinez
Melissa Martinez
2nd Update: VHS/KJS 3--20-15
Update: VHS/JFC 1-15-15
JKS/JFC 5-19-14
Inc. #061008914

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.