RICHMOND, Texas — An accused killer remained on the run Wednesday, two days after his wife was found dead inside their home in Richmond.
Family members of Anyi Montealegre Izquierdo, 23, said they knew the relationship she was in wasn't healthy when she moved to the United States with Jhon Venegas, 24, about a year ago.
"Eran muchas peleas," a cousin said.
Anyi's cousins said they tried to intervene several times because the couple would constantly fight.
"Ya le había hecho un intento de homicidio," a cousin said.
They even said he had tried to kill her when they were living in Colombia.
They said she refused to leave him and moved with him to the U.S. with hopes of raising money for their family back home and the 2-year-old daughter they left behind.
Anyi's family members said they're worried because after she was found stabbed to death, Venegas disappeared. They said he spent his entire life living in the jungle and could easily survive in rural areas. They're worried he might hurt someone else.
On Monday night, investigators got a tip that Venegas had been spotted in the 2200 block of Richmond Street in Needville. SWAT team members, a helicopter and K9s searched 17 acres of a wooded area but they didn't find him.
Venegas' former co-workers told investigators that he'd been acting strangely Monday morning.
"He did quit his job on Sunday. He was found on Monday morning ... sleeping on the property in his vehicle," FBCSO Lt. Daniel Calvillo said. "That was alarming to some of the coworkers. When they made contact with him, he was acting strangely and they thought that they had seen some injuries on his hands and things just didn't add up."
Venegas is charged with murder. Investigators located his car, but he was nowhere to be found.
Anyi's family members said it's tragic to lose someone so young who was full of dreams and kindness.
Anyone with information on Romero's whereabouts is urged to contact Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS (8477).