Woman, man charged with murder by grand jury

A 61-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man were indicted by an Ector County grand jury in connection to the death of family members in separate cases.

Traci Lee Alaniz, 61, and Eusebio Luna Lerma, 37, were each charged with murder, a first-degree felony, when the grand jury met on May 8 and 9.

For Alaniz, she was charged with murder in connection to the death of her 81-year-old mother. She was also charged with injury to the elderly, a first-degree felony.

Alaniz’ mother, Mary Hensley, was found dead in her condominium at 1475 Brittany Lane at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 24, an Odessa Police Department news release stated. Hensley reportedly had injuries all over her body when she was found.

Police affidavits detail Alaniz admitted to assaulting Hensley several times, striking her three to four times a month during the past three months, slapping her, and placing a pillow over her face on several occasions.

Lerma was charged with murder in connection to the death of his 64-year-old uncle.

Officers responded to a call about an assault at 11:09 p.m. Feb. 15 in the 400 block of Ann Street. The victim was identified as Eliopoldo Estorga, 64, who sustained serious bodily injury to his head and face, the release stated. Estorga was transported to Medical Center Hospital and was later pronounced dead by medical personnel.

A witness stated to the officers, that a man, later identified as Lerma, was standing over Estorga repeatedly striking him in the face, the release detailed. Lerma left the scene before police arrived.

Lerma was located by OPD and he admitted he fought with and injured Estorga. Lerma was charged, arrested and transported to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center.

Alaniz has two bonds totaling $250,000 and was still in custody as of Thursday morning, jail records show. Lerma has one bond totaling $150,000 and was still in custody of Thursday morning.