New details in alleged MS-13 'satanic' killing of teen girl in Houston

FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION: Image 1/6 The recent release of a facial reconstruction of a woman whose body was found in west Houston in mid-February has prompted about a dozen calls to authorities. FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION: Image 1/6 The recent release of a facial reconstruction of a woman whose body was found in west Houston in mid-February has prompted about a dozen calls to authorities. Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close New details in alleged MS-13 'satanic' killing of teen girl in Houston 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

Houston police gave new details Friday morning about a shocking murder case in which prosecutors say two gang members killed a young woman as a satanic sacrifice. Detectives "believe strongly" that they have identified the slain woman, police announced, and are looking for other people who may have been involved.

Prosecutors charged yesterday that two alleged members of violent Salvadoran gang MS-13 -- identified in court documents as Miguel Alvarez-Flores, 22, and Diego Hernandez-Rivera, 18 -- killed the young woman and held a 14-year-old girl against her will.

Authorities asked the public's help identifying the slain female after the medical examiner could not determine her identity.

On Friday, homicide detective Sgt. Chris Sturdivant said police are confident they have identified her. Detectives met Thursday with her family members, whom Sturdivant said were "just distraught that they lost a daughter."

The sergeant also revealed that there was a third young girl held captive along with the slain female and the 14-year-old who survived. The third captive also survived and is back with her family, he said at a news conference.

The three "young, impressionable young women" ages 14-16 came under the influence of the adult male gang members and eventually were held in an apartment, Sturdivant said, confirming that at least two of them had been reported missing.

After they were arrested Monday at the apartment in the 2200 block of South Gessner by SWAT officers with a warrant, Sturdivant said, both of the men charged in the young woman's death admitted their involvement.

The young woman, identified only as "Genesis" and thought to be 15, was found lying against a west Houston curb with gunshot wounds to her face and chest, authorities said. A man driving his kids to school found the body about 7 a.m. on Feb. 16.

She was small and petite. She stood 5 feet tall, weighed 108 pounds and wore size 0 jeans. The medical examiner found three silver rings on her fingers, one with a playful pattern of elephants following each other with raised trunks and slight smiles.

A MOCKERY OF MURDER: Accused killers smile, laugh and wave to media cameras in court appearance

The young woman was killed in a satanic ritual by two MS-13 members after she disrespected their shrine to Satanism, prosecutors said Thursday in court.

She died after she was shot several times in the face and chest, the Harris County medical examiner's office determined after she was found in the 9900 block of Sharpcrest Street, not far from Beltway 8 near Houston's Chinatown area.

Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Houston homicide investigators search the area around a body that...

The chilling allegation is at the center of a still-unfolding case that includes murder and kidnapping, cocaine dealing and sex trafficking by two members of a street gang that prides itself on violence. The FBI's multiagency local task force on gangs is coordinating the investigation, Sturdivant said.

Prosecutors said both men were living in the United States illegally.

In general, Sturdivant said, "the majority of the MS-13 members we come into contact with are here illegally."

Alvarez-Flores, 22, also known as "Diabolico," told police that he was the leader of a local set of the infamous Salvadoran gang, prosecutors said in court.

He is accused of directing the younger member, 18-year-old Hernandez-Rivera, to kill Genesis.