Capital murder charge filed against man in deaths of woman and child in SE Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Charges have been filed against a man following the discovery of a woman and child found dead in a southeast Houston home on Friday.

Jonathan Figueroa, 23, is charged with capital murder. He was believed to be heading to the Mexico border, driving a 2004 maroon Ford Taurus with Texas license plate CTS3225.

Figueroa is accused in the deaths of his girlfriend, Veronica Mercado, 26, and her daughter, Linette Cano, who would have turned 2 years old on November 21. Figueroa is not the child's father.

Mercado and Cano were found dead in a home in the 7800 block of Elvera a little after noon on Friday. Investigators believe Figueroa entered the home and fatally shot both victims.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jonathan Figueroa is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.