GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — A 44-year-old man was arrested and charged with capital murder earlier this month for his role in a homicide case that dates back to 2008, police said.
According to a news release from the Grand Prairie Police Department, Jerry Lee Gardner was arrested at his home in Lufkin for the murder of Raymond Hernandez, who was 45 at the time of his death.
Police said on Aug. 8, 2008, officers responded to help the Grand Prairie Fire Department with a structure fire in the 2600 block of Channing Drive around 6:15 p.m.
According to police, firefighters found Hernandez dead inside the home. An autopsy later revealed that he was the victim of a homicide, police said.
Grand Prairie PD said DNA from a possible suspect was taken from the scene and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in November 2008. However, police said it didn't match any DNA in the CODIS at the time.
According to police, in February 2022, cold case detectives with Grand Prairie PD worked with Texas DPS Texas Rangers to utilize a Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Police said forensic genetic genealogical testing of the potential suspect's DNA was searched using a third-party laboratory.
Police said in September 2024, a lead was developed through the genealogical search and detectives were able to obtain a DNA sample to confirm the lead.
On Oct. 4, cold case detectives with Grand Prairie PD, Texas Rangers and the Lufkin Police Department arrested Gardner at his home in Lufkin for the murder of Hernandez. According to police, Gardner is being held in the Grand Prairie Detention Center on a charge of capital murder. His bond is set at $1 million.
