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APPD: Woman Found in Tool Box was Shot

Family tells us through a source she was a twin
Posted at 6:54 PM, Jan 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-27 21:16:09-05

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Aransas Pass Police Department told Action 10 News that while serving a search warrant Friday night at the Rahi Motel Cottages on Texas Bus. 35 in Aransas Pass, they discovered drugs and a weapon.

That led to the arrest of 41-year-old Jaime Garcia, who we have confirmed, worked at the property as a handyman. Police believe he knew 29-year-old Rebecca Anne Maloney.

Aransas Pass police confirmed for Action 10 News that Maloney was murdered in one of the units of the Rahi Motel and Cottages, but how her body wound up in the tool box where it was eventually found Tuesday, and who put it there, is part of their ongoing investigation

"All that we could determine was that there was severe trauma to the head," said APPD Asst. Police Chief David Wood told Action 10 News. "We could not tell what it was from. The medical examiner has since told us that it was from a gunshot wound."

Maloney's family told us, through sources, Rebecca was a twin, who grew up on Padre Island and graduated from Rockport-Fulton High School. She was also a mother of three.

The owner of the motel said Garcia first told him about Maloney and her husband. Garcia reportedly said the family was homeless and living out of a truck, so, the owner said they could move in to one of the units.

They stayed at the Rahi Motel and Cottages for about four weeks, according to the owner, but were gone from here close to the end of 2019.

At this point, the Aransas Pass Police Department, the Texas Rangers, and federal law-enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation, but they're still not exactly sure what day or time Maloney was killed.

They also believe at least two people are responsible.

Police encourage anyone with information to call them at (361) 758-5224. Rachel, Maloney's sister, also has set up a PayPal account for anyone who'd like to help the family with expenses. Maloney's email is malonerj64@gmail.com.