local
Jury convicts Houston man Erik Arceneaux of murdering then girlfriend Maria Rodriguez
By Jaewon Jung at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 3, 2026
· 3 min read
Nearly eight years after Houston mother Maria Rodriguez disappeared without a trace, a Harris County jury found her then-boyfriend Erik Arceneaux guilty of murdering her.On Thursday, jurors found Arceneaux guilty of murder after less than three hours of deliberation, bringing an end to a case pro...
Key takeaway Rodriguez, 29, was reported missing in June 2018 after she dropped off her young daughter at a babysitter’s home in northeast Houston and never showed up for work.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The guilty verdict in the Erik Arceneaux trial brings a measure of closure to the family of Maria Rodriguez, who had waited nearly eight years for justice. For the community in northeast Houston where Rodriguez was last seen, the outcome serves as a testament to the diligence of local law enforcement and prosecutors in pursuing homicide cases, even in the face of significant challenges. The use of digital evidence to build a case against Arceneaux highlights the evolving nature of crime solving in Harris County, where investigators must often rely on creative and meticulous analysis of cellphone records, surveillance video, and other data to piece together the events surrounding a crime. As the case now moves to the sentencing phase, residents of Piney Point Village and surrounding areas will be watching to see how the court ultimately holds Arceneaux accountable for his actions.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Nearly eight years after Houston mother Maria Rodriguez disappeared without a trace, a Harris County jury found her then-boyfriend Erik Arceneaux guilty of murdering her.On Thursday, jurors found Arceneaux guilty of murder after less than three hours of deliberation, bringing an end to a case pro...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jaewon Jung at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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