A 23-year-old Texas man, Jared James Dicus, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder and decapitation of his 21-year-old wife, Anggy Diaz. The sentencing was confirmed by the prosecution team. The crime occurred in January 2023, just a few months after the couple’s wedding.
The Waller County Sheriff’s Office reported that Dicus’ parents made a distress call to 911 on January 11, 2023, reporting a possible death at a small cabin located on their property. The cabin, situated in the 200 block of Oak Hollow Blvd. near Magnolia, about 60 miles northwest of downtown Houston, was where Dicus and Diaz resided.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Diaz’s decapitated body in the cabin, which was splattered with blood. Dicus was subsequently taken into custody, where he confessed to the murder of his wife. The authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the crime, but it was noted that deputies had previously responded to domestic violence-related calls at the couple’s residence.
Sean G. Whittmore, the Waller County Criminal District Attorney, indicated that potential mental health issues were brought up during the pretrial phase of the case. However, a psychiatrist found Dicus competent to stand trial. As part of the plea agreement, Dicus is prohibited from appealing the verdict or invoking an insanity defense.
Whitmore stated that Diaz’s family was in agreement with the plea deal. Dicus will not be eligible for parole until 2043. Whitmore emphasized Waller County’s stance against domestic violence, vowing to seek justice for victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Dicus had posted a wedding photo of him and Diaz on his Facebook page in October 2022, just over two months before the murder. Diaz was remembered by friends and co-workers for her vibrant personality. Her boss, Veronica Jimenez, described her as a “very bright girl, full of energy, never negative,” with many life goals.
Diaz’s uncle and former legal guardian, Irvin Orellana, referred to his niece as “the light to our family” on a GoFundMe page set up to help transport her body back to her native Nicaragua. He expressed the family’s grief over her loss, stating that her cheerful personality and constant smile would be greatly missed.