In a quiet Fort Worth neighborhood, a chilling crime has left a community stunned and heartbroken. The peaceful image of suburban life was shattered in the early hours of April 18, when police responded to a disturbing scene at the intersection of Farmers Branch Street and Bodart Lane.
What they encountered was not only grisly but also perplexing in its nature—a man drenched in blood, clutching a Bible, claiming to have committed a murder as part of an exorcism. The suspect, 23-year-old Alexander Valdez, was arrested on the scene and later charged with the murder of his 58-year-old mother, Teresita Sayson.
The details of the crime have sparked waves of shock and disbelief across Fort Worth and beyond. What could drive a seemingly ordinary young man to commit such a horrific act? And what role did social media play in both the lead-up to the crime and its investigation? As the facts continue to unfold, this case raises pressing questions about mental health, belief systems, and the evolving landscape of online behavior.
The Grisly Discovery in a Quiet Neighborhood
Fort Worth Police responded to a house just after 1:30 a.m. on Friday, April 18, after receiving reports that something deeply disturbing had taken place.
When officers arrived at the residence, Alexander Valdez answered the door. What they saw was shocking: Valdez had blood smeared across nearly every visible part of his body—his face, neck, chest, torso, hands, and feet. He calmly held a Bible and greeted the officers with chilling words: “It was an exorcism.”
According to the arrest warrant, Alexander Valdez immediately admitted that there was a dead body inside the home. “There is a dead body in there. It’s my mom,” he reportedly told the officers before sitting on a porch chair.
The officers then entered the house and made a horrifying discovery. In the primary bedroom lay the lifeless body of Teresita Sayson, who had suffered extensive trauma to her face and upper body. Police described the scene as gruesome, with blood splattered on the walls and carpet. A deceased dog was also found in the room, further complicating the tragedy.
Officers quickly began their investigation, trying to piece together what led to such an act. Their findings revealed a scene marked not only by violence but by the disturbing remnants of what Alexander Valdez called a “ritual.”
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A bloodied jewelry box was found near the victim’s body, fragments of the woman’s hair stuck in its crevices. The blunt force injuries appeared to be consistent with the use of this object, indicating it may have been the murder weapon.
Authorities stated the victim was intentionally struck multiple times. The brutality of the attack made it clear this was no accident, no moment of uncontrollable rage—but rather a deliberate, terrifying act.
Witchcraft, Snapchat, and a Disturbing Confession
Alexander Valdez’s bizarre explanation added a troubling dimension to the already horrific crime. When officers questioned him about the blood and the events leading up to his mother’s death, he allegedly stated, “I was doing witchcraft to kill my mom.”
This declaration, paired with his reference to an “exorcism,” painted a disturbing picture of a young man deeply consumed by an altered reality—whether due to delusions, mental illness, or dangerous belief systems.
What truly brought the case to police attention, however, was not a traditional 911 call—but rather, social media. According to Officer Tracy Carter of the Fort Worth Police Department, authorities were first alerted by people on Snapchat who saw Alexander Valdez posting about wanting to perform a “satanic ritual.”
One anonymous caller told police they received a very disturbing photo in a group chat, which showed a blood-covered woman lying on the floor. That image matched what police later saw at the crime scene.
Friends of Alexander Valdez even warned each other not to open the image he had sent. Nevertheless, several individuals did—and some showed it to the police, helping to prompt an immediate response. The officers later confirmed that the photograph depicted the dead woman and the bloodied dog, alongside visible signs of violence in the room.
Social media had inadvertently become both the medium for announcing the crime and a vital tool in the unfolding investigation. In a world where digital interaction often replaces face-to-face contact, this case underscores the evolving role of platforms like Snapchat—not just in social dynamics, but in crime prevention and law enforcement response.
A Community in Shock and a Family Silenced Forever
Neighbors in the area described Alexander Valdez and Teresita Sayson as quiet and cordial. Longtime residents Russell and LaFrieda Ray, who have lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, shared their disbelief at what had transpired just a few houses away.
“The family is so quiet,” Russell said. “They’ve lived in this neighborhood around four years.” His wife, LaFrieda, echoed that sentiment, saying she recently saw Alexander when his car wouldn’t start. “He was cordial. He waved hello.”
There were no signs of trouble, no loud arguments, no visits from police in the past—just the day-to-day lives of a mother and her son. Teresita, they said, was always working. Her upcoming birthday—she would have turned 59 this week—now serves as a tragic reminder of a life abruptly and violently ended.
As police continue to investigate the case, they’ve said that the early stages are focused heavily on gathering digital evidence. With Valdez having already made multiple incriminating statements, the focus may soon shift to understanding his mental state and whether there were any warning signs that were missed.
In cases involving such extreme behavior—particularly when paired with claims of spiritual or supernatural motivation—investigators must determine whether the suspect is competent to stand trial. Mental health evaluations will likely play a significant role in the court proceedings to come.
For now, Valdez is being held on a $750,000 bond. Whether his claim of exorcism is taken at face value or deemed part of a larger delusion remains to be seen. Either way, one thing is clear: a mother’s life was taken in a brutal act that has left a gaping wound in a once-quiet community.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the fragile nature of mental health and the dangerous intersections between personal beliefs and violent behavior. It also highlights the power—and danger—of social media, which in this case functioned as both a window into a troubled mind and a warning signal that may have prevented further tragedy.
As the community mourns the loss of Teresita Sayson, they also grapple with the haunting reality that sometimes, the most terrifying horrors come not from strangers, but from those we think we know best.