Anastasia Nicolazzi

But of course, some marital discord can prove too challenging to overcome, especially when it comes to infidelity, abuse, or other trauma.

But of course, some marital discord can prove too challenging to overcome, especially when it comes to infidelity, abuse, or other trauma.

Growing up in Texas, Luis Mata thought he might one day become a sportscaster. But his dad was a police officer right in Laredo, and he never could get used to the idea of leaving his hometown.

Growing up in Texas, Luis Mata thought he might one day become a sportscaster. But his dad was a police officer right in Laredo, and he never could get used to the idea of leaving his hometown.

Case in point, the story of 31-year-old Maria Munoz and her husband, Joel Peyote. Maria and Joel met when she was a nursing student, and he was an ambitious nurse anesthetist 11 years her senior.

Case in point, the story of 31-year-old Maria Munoz and her husband, Joel Peyote. Maria and Joel met when she was a nursing student, and he was an ambitious nurse anesthetist 11 years her senior.

To the casual observer, Joel and Maria appear to be a happy, attractive, and a well-off family living in an upscale Laredo neighborhood. But looks can be deceiving.

To the casual observer, Joel and Maria appear to be a happy, attractive, and a well-off family living in an upscale Laredo neighborhood. But looks can be deceiving.

In the early morning hours of September 22nd, 2020, Laredo police received a 911 call from Joel and Maria's home in North Laredo.

In the early morning hours of September 22nd, 2020, Laredo police received a 911 call from Joel and Maria's home in North Laredo.

CPR was continued, but Maria was unresponsive. Her eyes appeared fully dilated and she had no pulse. Shortly after paramedics arrived, Maria Munoz was declared dead. All the while, her two sons, just five and two, were still sleeping only a few feet away.

CPR was continued, but Maria was unresponsive. Her eyes appeared fully dilated and she had no pulse. Shortly after paramedics arrived, Maria Munoz was declared dead. All the while, her two sons, just five and two, were still sleeping only a few feet away.

According to Joel, he had arrived at the house after his shift at the hospital. He explained how he and Maria had been having some marriage trouble, and he had promised to come home to have what he called a heart-to-heart.

According to Joel, he had arrived at the house after his shift at the hospital. He explained how he and Maria had been having some marriage trouble, and he had promised to come home to have what he called a heart-to-heart.

You may be asking why a homicide detective would be called to the scene of an overdose, accidental or otherwise. But as Luis explains, it doesn't take a knife or a gun to make a death suspicious.

You may be asking why a homicide detective would be called to the scene of an overdose, accidental or otherwise. But as Luis explains, it doesn't take a knife or a gun to make a death suspicious.

But according to the officer at the scene, there were some things about Joel's story that weren't adding up.

But according to the officer at the scene, there were some things about Joel's story that weren't adding up.

But that wasn't the only thing about the scene that had gotten law enforcement's attention.

But that wasn't the only thing about the scene that had gotten law enforcement's attention.