Arman Alexander Malik also faces an evidence-tampering charge after deputies discovered his 73-year-old mother during a welfare check.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 34-year-old Texas man has been charged with murder after sheriff’s deputies found his mother dead inside a duffel bag during a welfare check at her west Harris County home, according to authorities and court records.
Arman Alexander Malik is accused in the death of his mother, 73-year-old Dyna Guadalupe Sorto De Malik. He was initially charged with tampering with physical evidence involving a human corpse after investigators said he concealed her body. Homicide investigators later added a murder charge, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in an update reported by local news outlets. Malik has not been convicted, and the allegations against him remain to be decided in court.
Deputies went to a home in the 17900 block of Valley Knoll Drive at about 10 p.m. Sept. 1 after relatives requested a welfare check. Family members said they had been unable to reach Dyna Malik for several days and that she was not answering her door, telephone calls or text messages. Deputies forced their way into the residence after receiving no response, according to court documents cited by Houston-area news organizations.
Investigators said they found Arman Malik asleep in one bedroom. In another bedroom across the hall, deputies noticed an odor they associated with decomposition and found a large duffel bag beneath bloodstained bedding, court records state. Dyna Malik’s body was found inside the bag. Investigators also reported finding blood on the carpet and nearby furniture. Authorities have not publicly established exactly how long her body had been inside the home.
Detectives said several security cameras in the residence appeared to have been disabled or repositioned. Court records cited by the Houston Chronicle said one camera had its batteries removed, another had been turned toward a wall and a third had been directed toward a vase. Investigators also found Dyna Malik’s cellphone inside the home. Authorities allege those circumstances were part of an effort to interfere with or conceal potential evidence.
Investigators also reported seeing what appeared to be dried blood beneath Arman Malik’s fingernails and scratches on his hands. Court records in the murder case allege that Malik intended to cause serious bodily injury to his mother by striking her in the head with his hands. That accusation is part of the prosecution’s case and has not been proven at trial. Earlier reports said the Harris County medical examiner had not publicly released a final cause and manner of death.
Deputies detained Malik at the home, where authorities said he appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. He later became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital, according to court records. Malik was arrested after his release and booked into the Harris County Jail on Sept. 7. Sheriff’s officials said homicide detectives filed the murder charge as their investigation continued.
During an initial court appearance, Malik’s defense raised concerns about his psychological condition and told the court that he needed medical treatment, according to ABC13 and the Houston Chronicle. His lawyer also argued that he lacked the financial resources to post a high bond. Public reports have differed on the way Malik’s bond was listed after the hearing, with the Houston Chronicle reporting $500,000 on each of the two charges.
Court records also show Malik had a previous criminal case dating to 2014. The Houston Chronicle reported that a bodily injury case was resolved after he completed supervision requirements, while other local coverage cited prior robbery and impaired-driving history. Those earlier matters are separate from the current case and do not establish guilt in his mother’s death.
Neighbors told local television stations that Dyna Malik was frequently seen outside her home and described the discovery as unexpected. One neighbor said Malik had recently moved in with his mother. ABC13 also reported that a neighbor recalled Dyna Malik expressing concerns about her son living with her, although authorities have not publicly said whether those concerns were connected to her death.
The investigation remains active. Malik faces murder and tampering-with-evidence allegations, and court proceedings are continuing as investigators examine evidence from the home. The Houston Chronicle reported that his next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 12. No conviction has been entered in the case.
Author note: Last updated September 11, 2026.