Alleged Uptown Dentist Murder Mastermind In Custody
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MEXICO CITY (CBSDFW.COM) - The alleged mastermind behind Uptown dentist Kendra Hatcher's murder -- Brenda Delgado -- was captured in Mexico.
Mexican authorities searched areas where Delgado has friends and family in the states of San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León and Mexico City. The Attorney General's Office said Friday she was detained in a house in the city of Torreón, in northern Coahuila state. Delgado was then taken to the Santa Marta Acatitla prison in Mexico City pending extradition proceedings. Part of that extradition agreement between the United States and Mexico will take the death penalty off the table for Delgado. Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk has said Delgado will however, face life in prison.
Kendra Hatcher's brother, Neil Hatcher said he was notified of Delgado's arrest and was "tickled pink" by the news.
Hatcher's sister, Ashley Lipscomb, released the following statement to CBS 11's Ken Molestina on Saturday evening:
"Thank you to Mexico for helping a girl who simply loved your country and community. We extend our sincerest gratitude to those who assisted in the arrest.
She majored in Spanish and served in Spain, Ecuador, Texas, and the Cuban community in Florida.
Relaxing and rejuvenating in your country was her favorite pastime because she truly felt at home there.
Kendra was a dual-citizen at heart and chose to use her God-given abilities and resources to do nothing but love and inspire people across the globe, with emphasis on the Spanish communities."
Thank you again for helping when she needed you. What an amazing way to honor her legacy of service and love. We are grateful."
The FBI added Brenda Delgado to its "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" this week on April 6, 2016. The 33-year-old is the person investigators believe orchestrated the 2015 murder-for-hire of Hatcher.
"The FBI is extremely appreciative of our law enforcement partners in Mexico, as well as our local, state, and federal partners, for their tremendous cooperation and collaboration in the capture of Top Ten Fugitive Brenda Delgado," said Thomas M. Class, Sr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Dallas Field Office.
Hatcher was shot and killed after getting out of her vehicle in the parking garage at the Gables Park 17 high-rise apartment building. FBI officials say it was Dallas Police Department investigators who soon suspected Delgado of hiring two co-conspirators to carry out her plan. The man accused of actually gunning down Hatcher, Kristopher Love, is in custody and faces federal charges. The woman accused of driving Love to the parking garage to murder Hatcher, Crystal Cortes, is also in custody.
Thomas M. Class, Sr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Dallas Field Office said, "Brenda Delgado was able to effectively manipulate everyone she involved in her calculated scheme. Although she didn't pull the trigger herself, she is still responsible for the murder."
Officials say Delgado plotted the murder because she was jealous Hatcher, 35, was dating her ex-boyfriend and had recently been introduced to his parents. The now Most Wanted fugitive initially spoke with investigators about the murder, but officials say she fled the country when it became clear she was a person of interest in the murder case.
A grand jury indicted Delgado for Capital Murder back in October. A federal arrest warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution was issued soon after. The indictment said Delgado promised to give Kristopher Love drugs and money, from herself and a drug cartel, to kill the dentist.
Delgado lived in North Texas but is a Mexican citizen. She was born Brenda Berenice Delgado Reynaga, on June 18, 1982. She is the 506th person and the ninth woman to be placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
