DALLAS — Three years since the death of Marisela Botello-Valadez, Lisa Dykes stands trial for the 23-year-old woman's murder. She is one of three people who are facing charges in connection with Botello-Valadez's death.
Botello-Valadez was visiting Dallas from Seattle in October 2020. Police said she left a bar in Deep Ellum with Charles Beltran after meeting him that night. Botello-Valadez missed her flight back to Seattle, and her family began to panic.
Six months later, her remains were discovered near E. Belt Line Road and Post Oak Road in Wilmer, a wooded area in Dallas County.
Lisa Dykes, her wife, Nina Marano and their roommate, Charles Beltran, are accused in connection with the case.
In opening statements, prosecutors alleged it was a twisted case of jealousy.
"She never even met her, did not even know her, but who [Marisela] did meet was Charles Beltran," a prosecutor said.
Prosecutors claimed Dykes stabbed Botello-Valadez while she was sleeping in the home she shared with Beltran.
However, Dykes' attorney deflected attention to Charles Beltran in his remarks. The attorney says he plans to prove that Dykes did not know what happened to Botello-Valadez.
Several people took the witness stand on day one of the trial, including family members of the victim. The most heartbreaking was from her mother, who was in tears while speaking about her deceased daughter.
The trial will resume Wednesday morning.