Woman found dead in Newton County identified, 2 suspects arrested

Two men arrested and charged in woman's murder

A murder in newton county. The sheriff’s office released the names of the victim and the two people accused of killing the woman. Deputies found the body of Irma Valdez in the woods off Stephenson Road in Covington on Wednesday.

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities have charged two people with murder in the death of a Covington woman whose body was discovered in a wooded area earlier this week.

What we know:

Jose Sermeno, 31, and Katerin Abrego, 27, both of Covington, are facing murder charges in connection with the death of Irma Valdez, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies found Valdez’s body Wednesday afternoon near Stephenson Road and Flat Shoals Road. The two suspects were taken into custody on June 18 following an investigation by the agency’s Criminal Investigations Division.

"She was reported missing in Conyers on Monday, then reported missing in Newton County on Tuesday," said sheriff’s office spokesperson Caitlin Jett. "Two suspects are now in custody."

Jett said Valdez was acquainted with both suspects, though authorities have not disclosed the nature of their relationship, how Valdez died, or how long her body had been in the woods. Investigators are still working to determine a motive.

Sermeno and Abrego remain jailed at the Newton County Jail and face multiple charges, including murder and concealing a death. In addition, Sermeno is charged with cruelty to children. 

Jose Sermeno and Katerin Abrego. Photos courtesy of Newton County Sheriff's Office

The backstory:

Deputies were called out at around 1:50 p.m. to a wooded area along Stephenson Road near Flat Shoals Road. 

According to Sheriff Brown, two people have been arrested in connection with the death of 46-year-old Irma Valdez. It appears that she worked for A Huevo Que Si Taqueria. The restaurant described her as a "beloved member" of their team and said she was a "bright light" in their kitchen, a "kind soul" to their guests, and a "true friend" to all of them. 

Valdez was first reported missing in Conyers on June 16 and again in Newton County the following day. Investigators launched an immediate search, which led them on June 18 to a wooded area off Stephenson Road in Covington, where her body was discovered.

According to a GoFundMe for the victim, Valdez was mother to four children, including a 7-year-old girl. She was born and raised in Tamaulipas, Mexico, but has lived in Covington for the last few years. 

What they're saying:

Neighbors are mourning the loss of Valdez, who was remembered as warm and caring.

"She always seemed so happy, she always had a smile on her face," said Kimberly Miller, a neighbor. "She was such a caring lady, cared about the neighborhood kids."

Miller added, "She was a sweet lady who absolutely did not deserve that."

"One individual has been taken into custody in connection with the death," said Caitlin Jett, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

Elaine Payne, who lives nearby, tells FOX 5 she watched as deputies made an arrest. "They put him in handcuffs," Payne said.

Woman's body found, man arrested in Newton County

An arrest has been made after the body of a woman was found in a rural area of Newton County on Wednesday.

Payne says that the victim was her neighbor. "Every time you’d see her, she had a big smile on her face," Payne said.

Payne struggles when she thinks the woman who lived right near her will never come back. "It hurts; it breaks my heart in pieces. And I’ll never get to see her no more," Payne said.

Sheriff Ezell Brown extended his condolences on behalf of the department, saying the Newton County Sheriff’s Office offers its thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and loved ones of Irma Valdez.

What we don't know:

The sheriff’s office has not released further information about those allegations.

Woman found dead identified, 2 suspects arrested

Authorities have arrested Jose Sermeno and Katerin Abrego in connection with the death of Irma Valdez. Deputies got called to a wooded area along Stephenson Road. That's when they found the woman's body.

Authorities say Valdez was acquainted with the suspects, though a motive has not yet been determined. The investigation remains active.