'Gentle soul' | Man who killed 75-year-old Houston woman as she begged for her life gets life sentence
Marco Cobos stabbed Etta Nugent 13 times before he did his laundry and took a shower in her home. Then he went and got a burger, returned and ate it near her body.
Etta Nugent, 75, opened her door to a stranger six years ago and the decision cost her her life.
Marco Cobos, then 19, asked for water and to charge his phone that day in May 2019. Nugent didn't feel comfortable letting him in, so she directed him to a neighbor and closed her door.
Minutes later, Cobos forced his way inside and stabbed Nugent at least 13 times as she begged for her life. She told Cobos that she was a mother and grandmother and her husband was in a medical facility in poor health.
When Nugent died hours later, Cobos did his laundry and took a shower in her home. He left to buy a hamburger and brought it back to Nugent's home and ate it with her body nearby.
Cobos then ransacked the house, stole the victim's car and checked into a local motel.
Nugent's son became worried when she didn't show up to visit her husband in the nursing home. He went to her home to check on his mom and found her body.
Houston police later pulled Cobos over in Nugent's car and charged him with capital murder.
Chapter 1 Killer gets life sentence
Four years and seven months later, on Dec. 1, 2023, Cobos received two life sentences as part of a plea deal with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. He pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated robbery instead of being tried for capital murder.
“This brutal murder was both senseless and premeditated, and this was the right result because we were able to get justice without the family having to go through a painful and traumatic trial,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. “This killer will now spend decades, and hopefully the rest of his life, in prison.”
Ogg said Cobos will have to spend at least 60 years in prison before he's eligible for parole. As part of his plea deal, he can't appeal the sentence.
“This case is truly horrendous and is the worst possible nightmare for anyone who has an elderly parent living on their own,” Nguyen said. “You don’t want to believe that something like this could happen in our community, but when it does, we do everything possible to seek justice for the victim and their family.”
RELATED: 75-year-old Sharpstown woman begged for her life as she was stabbed 13 times, prosecutors say
Chapter 2 Who is Marco Cobos?
Marco Cobos is a Mexican National who was unemployed when he stole a truck in Arizona and drove to Houston to meet someone who met online.
When the meeting didn't happen, Cobos began sleeping in his truck parked on Neff Street in Nugent's quiet Sharpstown neighborhood.
Residents in the tight-knit community noticed the truck and called authorities several times, but Cobos stayed until that fateful day he knocked on Nugent's door.
Sharon Shanahan, Nugent's neighbor and friend, never imagined the young man she thought was a day laborer would end up accused of killing her longtime friend.
“Why her?” Shanahan asked in 2019. “Because she was such a gentle soul. I don’t understand.”
RELATED: 'Why her?': Neighbors stunned by 75-year-old woman's random murder in Sharpstown neighborhood
Chapter 3 Remembering Etta Nugent
Along with being a beloved mother and grandmother, Nugent left behind many heartbroken friends.
“She was well loved,” Shanahan told us. “I loved her so much."
Shanahan and Nugent were in the same prayer group at the Catholic church right across the street. Nugent also served as church secretary there for 25 years.
“She’s just salt of the Earth, we’ve known each other for 35 years,” Shanahan said. “I still can’t believe it, I’m still in shock about it.”
After her death, Nugent's family released the following statement.
"The family of Etta Nugent is heartbroken and in absolute shock at the senseless tragedy that unfolded before them this week. Etta was a kind, gentle and generous woman who lived her life with unwavering dedication to her faith, family and friends. To see her life end in such a tragic, evil manner is simply unexplainable.
"The family takes comfort knowing that the suspect is in custody and has given a full confession, and they would like to express enormous gratitude to both the local community and the Houston Police Department for their roles in the arrest. Observant neighbors who were diligent in watching the area for suspicious activity were able to provide tangible clues, both big and small. Detectives were able to piece those clues together to identify the suspect and ultimately make an arrest.
"While the family greatly mourns the loss of Etta, they celebrate the actions of attentive neighbors and the noble work of the Houston Police Department. The family would like to notably thank lead Detectives Eric May and Bobby Moss, and all of the associated detectives, officers, and first responders for their respectful and thorough handling of this case.
"As a legacy to her life, the family urges every citizen to make an effort to form real relationships with their neighbors and to actively watch out for each other. The observations made by caring neighbors unquestionably paved the path for identifying the confessed suspect and seizing the opportunity to capture him in such a short amount of time.
"Etta leaves behind her husband of 53 years, their three children and six adoring grandchildren, all of Houston. She also leaves an extended family of siblings, nieces and nephews across the state of Texas, and numerous close friends throughout the Sharpstown and Bellaire communities surrounding St. Francis de Sales and Holy Ghost Catholic Churches.
"The family is extremely grateful for all of the support and words of comfort from so many, as well as continued respect for their privacy during this difficult time."