Family members want justice after finding woman murdered in her SE Houston home

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston police are looking for clues in the case of a woman murdered in her home in southeast Houston.

Zuleika Hernandez, 33, was found dead in the bathroom of her house in the 6600 block of Sherwood Drive on Sunday night. Police say evidence from the scene indicated a struggle had occurred and nothing appeared to have been stolen.

Hernandez's niece, Nayeli Marin, said they hadn't heard from her and got worried so they went to her home.

"The dogs pulled us in the house like they were trying to tell us, 'Hey something's going on.' That's when we found her," said Marin.

When Marin and her father got inside they made a gruesome discovery. Hernandez had been brutally murdered.

"I just [burst] out crying, and I asked God to help me out with what was going on and to let me know it was just a nightmare," said Marin.

Hernandez was last seen last Friday driving up to her driveway in a black SUV between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Police say witnesses reported seeing a white 1999 Ford F-350 pickup truck with Texas license plates CYR9260 parked on the driveway on the south end of the home. Hernandez was spotted trying to get her dogs back in the yard and then went inside the house. The truck left a short time after that.

The vehicle had a sign on the tail gate that said "Antonio Ayala Roofing," damage to the hood and a large sticker on the rear window resembling an El Salvador flag with the numbers "503" on it, according to police.

Officers believe the suspect was waiting for Hernandez when she got home. Her family just wants justice.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

A gofundme page has been set up to help with funeral expenses.

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