Relatives say Marlon Thomas, 35, was killed and dismembered in the yard next to the apartment where he lived with a close friend and roommate. Noe Gerardo Morin, 32, is now charged with murder.
Police found Thomas at around 7pm Sunday, with a severed head, severed arm, and one arm nearly removed. His body was partially buried under some debris. Investigators say his head was also found at the scene, along with an arm and a chain saw, which they say was used in this crime.
His cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Neighbors say the two men argued over money Morin said Thomas had stolen from him, but they never expected anything like what they saw when police arrived.
Neighbor Brittney Johnson said, "He moved the body. He took off running. He said, 'No head, no head' and everybody took off running and that's when everything started coming together."
"They used to be alright," recalled neighbor William Wilson. "They used to run together and hang together, so I don't know. You know, they was together, so I don't know."
We spoke with the victim's cousin and two of his sisters. They are equally baffled by this story. They confirmed Thomas was indeed close friends with the suspect. They do not understand what may have taken place Sunday night.
Morin remains in custody at this time.
