A chilling image shared on Snapchat led police in Fort Worth, Texas, to a gruesome crime scene early Friday morning—where they discovered a man covered in blood who admitted to murdering his mother during what he called an “exorcism.”
Alexander Taylor Valdez, 23, has been charged with murder in the death of his 58-year-old mother, Teresita Sayson, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
Police were first alerted by an anonymous caller around 1:30 a.m. who reported receiving a disturbing photo in a Snapchat group chat. The image appeared to show a woman lying motionless and soaked in blood. The tipster provided Valdez’s address, prompting officers to respond to the residence on Farmers Branch Street.
When officers knocked, Valdez reportedly answered the door covered in blood, holding what appeared to be a Bible. According to the affidavit, he calmly told officers, “It was an exorcism,” before stepping outside and sitting on the porch.
Asked why he was bloody, Valdez allegedly confessed, “I was doing witchcraft to kill my mom.” He then admitted there was a body inside the home, saying, “There is a dead body in there. It’s my mom.”
Officers entered the residence and found the lifeless body of Teresita Sayson on the floor of the master bedroom. Her face and upper body showed signs of blunt force trauma. A dead dog was also discovered in the same room.
Investigators found a broken jewelry box near the body, smeared with blood and strands of hair believed to belong to the victim—likely the weapon used in the attack, police said.
Friends of Valdez told authorities they were part of the Snapchat group chat when the horrifying photo was sent. The image reportedly showed the bloodied victim, the deceased dog, and blood splattered across the wall and carpet.
Valdez was arrested at the scene. He invoked his right to remain silent and requested an attorney. He is currently being held at Tarrant County Jail on a $750,000 bond.
The motive behind the alleged “exorcism” remains unclear, and police say the investigation is ongoing.