Woman, two others accused of murdering step-grandfather

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Three people face capital murder charges in the death of a 60-year-old man reported missing last week.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit charged Juan Lopez, 20, Carino Ratcliff, 17, and 19-year-old Cierra Jacobs in connection to Jimmy Ray Boyd's death.

Boyd's sister reported him missing on May 14 after he failed to meet her that day and she was unable to contact him.

Four days earlier, deputies had recovered the remains of the male in a retention pond in the 3400 block of De Soto in north Houston, and it was clear foul play was involved. The Medical Examiner's Office has yet to confirm the victim's identity, but officials believe it is Boyd.

According to charging documents, Boyd -- who's Jacobs' step-grandfather -- had told someone days before his death that if anything happens to him, Lopez was probably the killer. Authorities believe Jacobs and Ratcliff killed him because they wanted some of his things.

When authorities interviewed Lopez, he allegedly admitted to punching and killing Boyd, and then soliciting Ratcliff's help to roll his body up in a tarp and throw it in a bayou culvert.

According to documents, Jacobs told police she and Lopez had discussed plans to kill the victim before. She said she was present when Lopez was arguing with her step-grandfather but was ordered to take the children and leave because he was "going to do it."

Authorities say Ratcliff also admitted his involvement. According to documents, he too witnessed the argument and saw Lopez take the Boyd's wallet. The two later used his driver's license to make fake missing person posters with Boyd's wife.

Police say Ratcliff led them to the location where he disposed of the wallet, as well as the Boyd's body. Police also recovered Boyd's stolen items, which had been pawned.

All three defendants are currently being held at the Harris County Jail with no bond. Ratcliff and Jacobs asked for court-appointed lawyers.

Deputies say the investigation is ongoing at this time.