BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – After seven long years of unanswered questions, the family of Meagan Gonzales has finally received a glimmer of hope. Investigators from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a suspect in connection with her tragic death. The suspect, identified as Joey Emiliano Tovar-Vargas, was taken into custody on Thursday, with the news relayed to Meagan’s father, Eddie Gonzales, just two days later on Saturday, October 31.
Eddie Gonzales expressed a mix of emotions upon hearing of the arrest, indicating that while hope had not been lost, the confirmation of Tovar-Vargas’s arrest has brought him a sense of relief. “I feel more like … more relaxed because they caught this one person,” he stated, reflecting on the years of uncertainty surrounding his daughter’s case.
Although Tovar-Vargas has been charged with tampering with evidence and the improper disposal of Meagan’s body, he has not yet been charged with murder. For Eddie Gonzales, the arrest marks a pivotal moment in a lengthy pursuit of justice. “I promised you justice, and we’re getting it for you,” he said, poignantly wishing for his daughter’s presence once more.
Meagan Gonzales was last seen alive on November 11, 2019, in the company of Tovar-Vargas. She was reported missing four days later. The search for her ended in tragedy when her truck was discovered on December 2, 2019, with blood in the bed, later confirmed to belong to Meagan. The following day, her body was found in a remote area, described as burned beyond recognition.
The emotional toll on Eddie Gonzales has been profound. “It was terrible to hear some news like that. It was something that I never thought I was going to hear, especially from my own kids,” he recalled, grappling with the horrific details surrounding his daughter’s death.
Initially, investigators had their sights set on Tovar-Vargas, but a lack of evidence allowed the case to grow cold. However, advancements in technology revived the investigation. The cold case team revisited the evidence and uncovered significant information from Tovar-Vargas’s cellphone, which ultimately became a crucial part of the case.
Sheriff Javier Salazar noted that cellphone records indicated Tovar-Vargas was near the locations where Meagan’s belongings were found, and searches on the phone revealed concerning inquiries about fingerprints and social media account deletions. Additionally, photos on the phone showed a patterned blanket similar to one used to wrap Meagan’s body.
Witnesses also reported seeing Tovar-Vargas disposing of items post-disappearance and seeking assistance in moving a body. Furthermore, it was revealed that Tovar-Vargas has a criminal history and is a suspect in domestic violence cases involving three other women, though all of them are alive. Eddie Gonzales expressed concern over Tovar-Vargas’s violent history, stating, “That makes me think that he is a person who hurts people, especially women for some reason.”
When asked what he would say to the person responsible for his daughter’s death, Eddie did not hold back: “You’re such a coward to do something like that.” As of now, Tovar-Vargas remains in the Bexar County jail, and while investigators do not believe there are other suspects, the homicide investigation continues, leaving many unanswered questions in the wake of Meagan Gonzales’s tragic story.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000.
