Una mujer de Texas fue detenida por el asesinato en 2012 de una mujer que fue apuñalada aproximadamente 100 veces en su departamento de la ciudad de Arlington.

La investigación, que se mantuvo abierta durante 14 años, dio un giro clave cuando los detectives recurrieron a la genealogía genética y a un análisis de ADN extraído de un residuo para identificar a la presunta autora.

El crimen ocurrió el 20 de enero de 2012, cuando Irasema Chávez, de 32 años, fue encontrada muerta en su departamento de Aspenwood Apartments, en South Collins Street. La víctima presentaba cerca de 100 heridas de arma blanca. No había señales de ingreso forzado, lo que llevó a los investigadores a sospechar que conocía a su atacante.

Durante años, la causa avanzó sin sospechosos claros. El ADN hallado en una manchita de sangre encontrada en la escena del crimen no coincidía con ninguna persona registrada en las bases de datos, y los testigos aportaron pocos datos.

La investigación se estancó hasta que, en 2016, la policía recurrió a Parabon NanoLabs para obtener un perfil genético a partir de la sangre encontrada en el lugar. Con ese material, la empresa elaboró una predicción del aspecto físico del posible agresor.

El aporte de la genealogía genética y el trabajo conjunto con el FBI

En noviembre de 2024, la unidad de homicidios de Arlington pidió colaboración al FBI de Dallas para aplicar técnicas de genealogía genética en el caso. El programa de IGG (Investigative Genetic Genealogy) del FBI aceptó intervenir.

El avance decisivo llegó en abril de 2026, cuando el trabajo de IGG permitió a los detectives obtener una pista concreta. Aunque la policía no detalló la naturaleza exacta de la evidencia, fue suficiente para solicitar una orden de arresto contra Mayra Velásquez, de 42 años, quien «había sido amiga íntima de la víctima» y vivía a pocos kilómetros del lugar del crimen, según indicó la policía en un comunicado.

El ADN de la basura, la clave para cerrar el caso

En mayo de 2026, los investigadores recolectaron una muestra de ADN de Velásquez a partir de un tenedor plástico recuperado por agentes en la basura. El análisis en laboratorio confirmó que el perfil genético coincidía con la gota de sangre hallada en el dormitorio de Chávez, específicamente sobre el soporte del televisor.

Según la policía, es habitual que en ataques con arma blanca el agresor se lesione accidentalmente, lo que explicaría la presencia de sangre de Velásquez en la escena.

Tras una conferencia de prensa, las autoridades informaron que la acusada permanece detenida en la cárcel del condado de Tarrant, imputada por homicidio.

Un caso que marcó a la comunidad y el avance de la ciencia forense

El motivo detrás del brutal ataque aún no fue esclarecido. Velásquez, que en el pasado trabajó como agente inmobiliaria y más recientemente como vendedora en una empresa de limusinas, sorprendió a quienes la conocían con la noticia de su detención.

La detective Tracey Dixon, encargada de casos sin resolver del Departamento de Policía de Arlingtonanunció que compartió la noticia del arresto de Velásquez con la familia de Chávez.

“Estaban muy agradecidos. Fue muy emotivo”, dijo durante una conferencia de prensa, según WFAA. “Todos los que se ven involucrados en un caso como este sienten esa euforia cuando se resuelve, y sienten el dolor de la familia. Es la razón por la que hacemos este trabajo”, agregó.

“Estoy sumamente orgulloso del trabajo que realizaron nuestros oficiales e investigadores forenses en este caso. Demostraron tenacidad y dedicación, y nunca se rindieron”, declaró el jefe de policía de Arlington, Al Jones, según ABC News .

Añadió que, en el último año y medio se solucionaron unos 14 casos sin resolver gracias a las nuevas tecnologías de ADN.

Joe Rothrock, agente especial a cargo de la oficina del FBI en Dallas, elogió la genealogía genética forense como “una de las herramientas más valiosas con las que cuentan las fuerzas del orden en la actualidad”. Desde 2018, el FBI la ha utilizado para resolver más de 250 casos en 30 estados, afirmó.

La industria turística de El Salvador incorpora una nueva herramienta digital con el lanzamiento de Turs, el primer super agente turístico impulsado por Inteligencia Artificial en el país.

La plataforma, presentada oficialmente el miércoles, busca transformar la forma en que los viajeros descubren y experimentan los destinos nacionales a través de la integración de tecnología avanzada y ofertas personalizadas.

Turs ofrece un sistema que conecta a turistas con una amplia variedad de opciones, desde rutas y atractivos hasta experiencias culturales y gastronómicas. El proyecto pone un énfasis especial en la interacción directa entre visitantes y anfitriones locales, con el propósito de destacar las historias y el valor humano detrás de cada recorrido.

El objetivo central, según los responsables de la plataforma, consiste en “mostrarle al mundo lo mejor de nuestro país” y fortalecer la reputación de El Salvador como destino turístico.

El lanzamiento de Turs representa un avance relevante para el sector turismo en un contexto de creciente digitalización global.

La plataforma se describe como una oportunidad para que millones de viajeros accedan a información actualizada, asesoría personalizada y una visión auténtica de la cultura salvadoreña. Los creadores del proyecto subrayan que cada experiencia promovida por el sistema lleva el sello de quienes hacen posible la hospitalidad local.

El sitio oficial de la plataforma, www.turslatam.com, ya se encuentra disponible para usuarios interesados en planificar su próxima visita a El Salvador.

Con esta iniciativa, el país busca posicionarse en el mapa internacional de innovación turística y responder a las nuevas tendencias de viaje que privilegian el acceso digital y las experiencias personalizadas.

El evento contó con la presencia de altos funcionarios y representantes del sector turístico, quienes destacaron el avance en políticas de seguridad y la apuesta por la innovación tecnológica para fomentar el turismo nacional e internacional.

La ministra de Turismo, Morena Valdez, y la viceministra de Relaciones Exteriores, Adriana Mira, participaron activamente en la presentación de la plataforma. Ambas funcionarias destacaron la importancia de la colaboración interinstitucional para fortalecer el sector y destacaron el respaldo del gobierno a la transformación digital como motor de desarrollo económico. “Esta nueva plataforma, Turs, está dando un valor agregado, que es que te ofrece una experiencia con los operadores turísticos locales en cada reservación”, expresó Valdez, citada por la Presidencia a través de su Secretaría

Por su parte, durante el evento, Raymond Villalta, fundador y presidente de Turs, resaltó el impacto positivo de las políticas de seguridad implementadas por el gobierno en la percepción internacional del país.

“El Salvador ahora lo podemos recorrer libremente, gracias a Dios, con seguridad, hacia todos lados. Gracias por todo ese apoyo, pero pasa algo; yo creo que le pasa mucho más al extranjero, que no conocemos todas las experiencias que se pueden vivir en El Salvador; conocemos las pupusas, la playa El Tunco, El Zonte y otros lugares preciosos; el lago de Coatepeque, lago de Ilopango y cada vez más cosas que hacer en el país”, afirmó Villalta, de acuerdo con la comunicación oficial de la Secretaría de Prensa de la Presidencia.

En el marco del acto, Villalta entregó un reconocimiento a la ministra de Turismo, Morena Valdez, por el reciente nombramiento de El Salvador como sede del Día Mundial del Turismo 2026.

Este logro fue celebrado como un hito sin precedentes para el país, ya que por primera vez será anfitrión de este evento internacional.

“Vamos a ser sede del Día Mundial del Turismo 2026 por primera vez en la historia de El Salvador; la verdad, me alegra ver a muchísimos actores del sector turístico de todas partes del territorio nacional”, señaló Valdez.

A group billing itself as a grassroots conservative movement against new data centers carried out a series of nationwide protests enlisting the help of Green Party figures and Democratic-aligned activists, a Fox News Digital review found.

Though initially launched as a bipartisan project, Humans First has since become — in its own words — a «conservative social movement that is dedicated to ensuring that the future of AI is in the hands of everyday people.» Humans First’s nascent movement was supposed to build up to mass protests on July 18, when the organization says it sought to rally conservatives against the construction of new data centers.

The push put Humans First in tension with one of President Donald Trump’s major economic priorities — accelerating the data-center buildout needed to power America’s AI race.

TOP ENERGY GROUP WARNS WEALTHY FOREIGNERS ARE POTENTIALLY BANKROLLING ANTI-DATA CENTER CAMPAIGNS ACROSS US

While right-wing activist Amy Kremer is the public face of Humans First, the group’s paper trail shows that the organization didn’t start with her or even another conservative. Incorporation records reviewed by Fox News Digital list staffers from the Center for AI Safety, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, as Humans First’s initial employees. The Center for AI Safety also provided a loan to Humans First to serve as start-up capital, NBC News previously reported.

In a similar vein, several of the local organizers named on Humans First’s website as planning the July 18 protests had backgrounds in left-of-center politics.

«I was one of the earliest leaders of the Tea Party movement in 2009, and I can tell you that the disconnect between the elites and the base that gave rise to the Tea Party movement can be seen today in the battle over AI data centers,» Kremer, chair of Humans First, told Axios in June.

During the Obama administration, Kremer was a top Tea Party activist and, more recently, she was one of the organizers of the «Save America» rally that preceded the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol — a role that later became a focal point during her unsuccessful 2022 run for a Georgia congressional seat.

Her group says the July 18 protests were meant to «give grassroots Americans, particularly grassroots conservatives, a voice in the critical debate over policies relating to the building of massive AI data centers.»

Despite Kremer’s GOP bona fides and her stated goal of mobilizing conservatives, Fox News Digital found that several listed protest organizers had left-wing, Green Party or Democratic-aligned backgrounds, including a transgender Green Party House candidate, local progressive activists and a Democratic state legislative candidate.

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The program offers paid training, travel support, lodging and a job offer for qualified graduates entering AI infrastructure work. (Meta)

At the bottom of the Humans First webpage advertising the protests, the organization stated that the events it is promoting have not «necessarily» been «fully vetted or endorsed by Humans First.»

Humans First’s website listed a chapter of the Illinois Green Party as organizers for a protest just outside Chicago.

Among other causes, the Illinois Green Party supports solidarity with Cuba, divesting from Israel, expanding abortion access, decriminalizing prostitution, restricting gun laws and impeaching Trump.

Also affiliated with the Illinois Green Party is Alexandria Keating-Sofiakis, a transgender activist and congressional candidate who organized a separate Humans First protest about 50 miles north-west of Chicago. 

Kremer has repeatedly posted critical social media messages about transgender issues, Fox News Digital found.

Keating-Sofiakis’s campaign website lists support for the Green New Deal, expanded abortion rights, ending American support for Israel and Medicare-for-all. Though the two disagree on much, Keating-Sofiakis told Fox News Digital that opposition to data centers transcends traditional ideological boundaries and made working with Kremer feasible.

«Data centers are a cross-partisan problem,» Keating-Sofiakis said. «From a conservative worldview, the drop in property values, increase in water costs, as well as increase in electrical costs that are affiliated with data centers are all antithetical to conservative values. Likewise, from a progressive worldview, the ecological damage alone associated with data centers is more than enough justification to oppose them.»

Keating-Sofiakis also pointed out that local Green Party activists received support from prominent conservatives such as Tomi Lahren and Lara Trump in a recent effort to free dogs from a medical facility.

«I am no longer hesitant to work with conservative figures and organizations on issues we share in common,» Keating-Sofiakis told Fox News Digital.

600 GROUPS WITH $2B IN REVENUE MOBILIZE 3,000 MAY DAY PROTESTS IN A ‘RED-BLUE’ ALLIANCE, PROBE FINDS

Humans First defended its conservative credentials when reached by Fox News Digital.

«First off, we are happy to put our grassroots conservative and America First credentials up against anyone. I was one of the founders of the Tea Party movement back in 2009, and I was one of the earliest and most high profile Trump supporters back in 2015,» Kremer told Fox News Digital. «The men and women on our team are long-time conservative activists who have dedicated their lives to electing conservatives and fighting for conservative policies.»

Most of the official staff listed on Humans First’s website have spent a significant portion of their careers working in conservative politics.

«This line of attack is preposterous but not surprising. This is exactly the same line of attack we saw during the early days of the Tea Party. The establishment and their handmaidens in the media were willing to smear Tea Party activists as racists and bigots in their effort to defend the big interests of their corporate masters,» Kremer continued. «Instead of questioning our conservative credentials, how about asking how any so-called conservative can take money from the same big tech and big AI billionaires who have worked tirelessly to destroy the conservative movement over the last ten years.»

Fox News Digital obtained footage of five Humans First protests across California, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina. Multiple demonstrators at the event in Gilroy, California, had signs protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a common antagonist for those on the left. Some of the protests were sparsely attended.

Nearly 1,000 miles south of its Green Party-linked protests in Illinois, Humans First’s protest page listed a Georgia activist group called People for Progress as the organizer of a local demonstration. The group was founded after the 2024 election to resist Trump’s agenda and protect «diversity, equity & justice.»

In Missouri, Humans First’s protest page listed the founder of CleanEarth4Kids as an organizer for a Springfield protest. CleanEarth4Kids has publicly urged followers to oppose several Republican-backed measures and support Democratic-backed bills. Ferguson Advocates for Civic Transparency (FACT), another group run by left-of-center individuals, organized an additional Humans First demonstration just outside of St. Louis.

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A press release obtained by Fox News Digital shows that the featured speakers at the event included a former Democratic state lawmaker, a current Democratic candidate for the state legislature and a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Lady Huston, one of the organizers leading FACT, told Fox News Digital that Humans First hosted weekly Zoom meetings for its organizers and sent out regular mass emails with directions and suggestions for them. She, like the other left-of-center organizers working with Humans First, also stressed the opposition to data centers should be a nonpartisan issue.

«[Sen. Josh Hawley] is making statements and saying we need to do something about [data centers]. So, I never thought I’d care about anything this man had to say. But he is in tune with what’s happening with AI … and that we need some better understanding about the effects of data centers,» Huston told Fox News Digital. «So, I’m with him on that. You know, so it doesn’t matter to me what political party you are, but the subject is what matters.»

Back north in Michigan, Humans First listed Mitchell Distin, a Democrat running for state House, as an organizer for a protest, but has since removed that demonstration from its webpage. Fox News Digital reviewed a prior version of the page listing Distin before the demonstration was removed.

«While you are correct in your assessment that I am, by no means, conservative, the data center issue isn’t a left-right issue,» Distin told Fox News Digital. «It’s an issue without precedent, as it transcends party boundaries. And for that reason alone, I believe it’s showing that every day, common Americans actually have far more in common than they realize. We actually agree on the futures we want, not the futures that Big Tech execs want for us.»

TOP ENERGY GROUP WARNS WEALTHY FOREIGNERS ARE POTENTIALLY BANKROLLING ANTI-DATA CENTER CAMPAIGNS ACROSS US

On what was recently farmland, Amazon data centers have been built as close as 50 feet from residential houses in the Loudoun Meadows neighborhood on January 20, 2023, in Aldie, VA. A Microsoft data center is under construction in at top right. As the data center industry expands its footprint in Northern Virginia, often building massive commercial structures near residential neighborhoods, communities push back with their concerns. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Not all the organizers who have signed up to facilitate Humans First’s nationwide protests are political liberals.

Cathy Latham, for example, is a longtime Georgia GOP official who is now working as a staffer with Humans First. She organized a July 18 protest in Waco, Texas. Latham was among the 18 defendants, including Trump, indicted in Georgia’s 2020 election-interference case.

Humans First claimed after July 18 that it had helped organize 142 protests across 42 states.

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Kremer, speaking to the Washington Examiner in May, expressed disgust with how AI companies have spent millions on lobbying and messaging campaigns to influence policy.

«I’m not for sale,» she told the Washington Examiner. «When I do something, I pour my whole heart and soul into it.»