Two Former Roommates Charged With Murder in Death of 68-Year-Old Houston Woman

HOUSTON – Two people have been arrested and charged with murder more than a year after a 68-year-old woman was found dead inside her home in Houston’s Second Ward.

Louis Vargas Sosa, 51, and Danielle Henderson Cano, 38, are charged in the death of Margaret Cruz, according to the Houston Police Department. Cano is charged in the 488th Criminal District Court, while Sosa is charged in the 487th Criminal District Court.

Cruz was found dead about 2:05 p.m. May 17, 2025, at a four-plex in the 300 block of Grace Street.

Police initially reported that Cruz had no visible signs of trauma. An autopsy later determined that she died from asphyxiation and blunt force injuries, prompting a homicide investigation.

Investigators eventually identified Sosa and Cano as suspects. Police said both were living with Cruz as roommates at her residence when she died.

HPD has not disclosed what investigators believe happened inside the home, a possible motive or what evidence led detectives to identify the two roommates as suspects.

Cano was arrested Sept. 3, 2026, and charged with murder.

Sosa was arrested Sept. 28 and also charged with murder. Both were booked into the Harris County Jail.