Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio announced that Ms. Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus, 48, of Brick Township, a fugitive from justice charged earlier this week with the murder of her wife Ms. Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus, was apprehended in Houston, Texas by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and Houston Police Department.
“It is our understanding that Gavilanez-Alectus traveled to
Houston, from New York City by bus,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Ocean County officials said on May 18, a warrant for Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus’ arrest was issued after an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that she was responsible for the death of Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus, 32, also of Brick, on May 17.
Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus was ultimately tracked down and
taken into custody by law enforcement in Houston Texas, and is presently lodged in the Harris County Jail pending extradition to Ocean County.
“I am extremely grateful for the support of our Federal law enforcement partners, as well as our law enforcement partners in Houston, Texas,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer.
“It is extremely satisfying when law enforcement works together and we are able to get a dangerous person like Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus into custody.
We will immediately begin extradition proceedings to bring Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus back to Ocean County to answer for these charges.
Justice for Rebecca Gavilanez- Alectus weighs heavy on all of our minds,” the Prosecutor concluded.