VOLUNTEERS SEARCH WOODED AREAS AND CREEKS FOR MISSING TEXAS MOTHER, 42, AS HER THREE CHILDREN WAIT FOR ANSWERS — WALLET DISCOVERY OFFERS NEW CLUE
A desperate search is continuing for a 42-year-old Texas mother who vanished more than a month ago, as volunteers comb through wooded areas, creek beds and remote stretches of countryside hoping to find answers for her three children.
Marjulin Daiuru Briceño Arrieta disappeared on September 28, 2026, after meeting her estranged husband at his apartment in Denton, Texas.
More than a month later, investigators believe she was m𝑢rdєred, but her body has not been found. Her estranged husband, Richard Pastor Perez, 49, is wanted on a murder warrant and remains at large.
As police and the FBI continue their investigation, members of the community have joined the family’s efforts to search for Marjulin, refusing to give up hope of bringing her home.
SHE DISAPPEARED AFTER MEETING HER ESTRANGED HUSBAND
According to the Denton Police Department, Marjulin met Perez at his apartment in the 1900 block of North Ruddell Street at approximately 6:45 p.m. on September 28.
Her family became concerned when they were unable to reach either of them and reported her missing that same day.
Relatives had reportedly been worried about her safety because of Perez’s alleged history of 𝘢bu𝘴e.
A family advocate later told local media that Marjulin had gone to meet him in connection with selling her vehicle.
Investigators subsequently discovered her vehicle abandoned near Perez’s apartment.
Detectives also found evidence that the license plates on their vehicles had been switched, raising further questions about what happened after the meeting.
POLICE TRACKED THE HUSBAND’S VEHICLE ACROSS TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO
Investigators used license plate recognition cameras to reconstruct the movements of Perez’s white 2013 Ford Escape following Marjulin’s disappearance.
The vehicle was recorded traveling along Highway 287 in Wichita Falls at approximately 9 p.m. on September 28.
It was detected again in Donley County, southeast of Amarillo, shortly after 1 a.m. on September 29.
Later that evening, cameras captured the SUV traveling westbound on Interstate 40.
On September 30, Albuquerque police located the vehicle in New Mexico after receiving an alert.
Investigators obtained hotel surveillance footage showing the SUV arriving at a parking lot. A man matching Perez’s description was seen getting out and abandoning the vehicle.
Police said no one else was seen exiting the SUV in the footage.
Based on evidence recovered during the investigation, Denton detectives believe Perez killed Marjulin and obtained an arrest warrant charging him with murder.
Authorities believe he may have fled Texas and are working with the FBI to locate him.
A WALLET DISCOVERY GIVES SEARCHERS A NEW LEAD
Nearly three weeks after Marjulin disappeared, volunteers searching along Highway 380 discovered a significant piece of evidence: her wallet.
The discovery was made on October 18 during a volunteer-led search organized by private investigator Alfonso Solis.
The wallet reportedly contained her identification, credit cards and other personal belongings.
For weeks, searchers had found no clear indication of where she might be.
Solis described the discovery as a breakthrough, explaining that it could help investigators narrow down the area where they should concentrate their efforts.
Another item connected to Marjulin was reportedly discovered during the search, although investigators and search organizers did not publicly identify it.
The findings were turned over to law enforcement.
The discovery brought an emotional reaction from relatives who had been desperately waiting for any clue about what happened to her.
VOLUNTEERS RETURN TO THE WOODS IN SEARCH OF ANSWERS
The search has continued into November, with volunteers focusing on wooded areas, creek beds and difficult terrain along Highway 380 toward the Wise County line.
On November 8, approximately 20 volunteers joined another organized search.
Solis said the discovery of the wallet had helped significantly reduce the area they needed to investigate.
He estimated that the search had been narrowed to approximately 15 linear miles, compared with an initial area spanning hundreds of miles.
Searchers are concentrating on locations along a possible route they believe Perez may have traveled.
Volunteers have continued examining areas that could be difficult for investigators to access, hoping to uncover evidence that could finally establish Marjulin’s whereabouts.
For those participating, the mission is about more than finding clues. They want to give her children the answers they desperately need.
HER 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IS NOW TRYING TO CARE FOR HER YOUNGER BROTHER
Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the disappearance is the impact on Marjulin’s three children.
Her youngest son is just 9 years old, while her eldest daughter is 18.
According to Denisse Carrera, a family advocate who has been speaking publicly on their behalf, the teenager is now trying to take care of her younger brother while dealing with the possibility that their mother may never return.
Carrera shared the young woman’s heartbreaking words about the future she had imagined for herself.
She had hoped to attend college and pursue her own dreams. Instead, she now feels responsible for helping raise her little brother.
Carrera described how difficult it was to hear a teenager speak about having to take on such an enormous responsibility while grieving her missing mother.
The children have also struggled to understand what happened.
Their family advocate previously revealed that Marjulin’s 9-year-old son learned from classmates that authorities believed his mother had been killed.
For the family, the uncertainty has made an already devastating situation even more difficult.
They are still waiting for the chance to know what happened to their mother and bring her home.
POLICE AND FBI CONTINUE SEARCHING FOR THE SUSPECT
The Denton Police Department and FBI Dallas continue working to locate Richard Pastor Perez.
Authorities have described him as approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 150 pounds.
Investigators believe he may be outside Texas, potentially making the search more complicated.
Denton County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Anyone who knows where Perez may be is urged to contact Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-TIPS (8477).
A FAMILY REFUSES TO STOP SEARCHING
As November continues, volunteers are still walking through remote areas, examining creek beds and searching for anything that might lead them to Marjulin.
The discovery of her wallet has given the search team a new direction, but it has not answered the most important question: where is she?
Her children are still waiting.
Her 18-year-old daughter is trying to protect and care for her younger brother while facing a future no child should have to navigate under these circumstances.
For the people who have joined the search, finding Marjulin is about helping a family finally understand what happened to someone they love.
Authorities continue to investigate, and Perez remains wanted on a murder charge.
More than a month after she disappeared, Marjulin’s family is still waiting for answers — and three children are still waiting for their mother.
Source: Denton Police Department, FOX 4 News, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.
