The owner of a Mexican bakery in Oak Cliff has been charged with murder after a burned body was found in a Dallas alley, police say.
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded to 1330 Kings Highway for a call regarding a body in the alleyway shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Dallas Fire-Rescue also responded to the scene and located a male victim who had been burned, police said.
The Dallas Police Homicide Unit, Dallas Fire Arson Unit, and Crime Scene Response all responded to process the scene.
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According to police, the victim was identified as 52-year-old Anthony Moreno. Police said at the time of his death, Moreno was wearing boots, jeans, a dress shirt, and a wedding ring on his left hand.
On Thursday, Dallas police arrested 45-year-old Manuel Tellez, a Grand Prairie resident, in connection with the murder. Tellez owns Maroches Bakery, a well-known Mexican bakery in Oak Cliff.
A preliminary investigation has determined that Tellez stabbed Moreno multiple times in an alley behind 1330 Kings Highway, police said. According to police, Tellez left the scene, changed clothing, and returned to the scene where he poured gasoline on the victim and lit the body on fire.
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Members of the Dallas arts community on Friday expressed both shock and grief with a violent crime that involved both a suspect and victim many knew well.
Organizers at Dallas Mercado, an outdoor arts expo held Friday evening in the West End, said Moreno and Tellez were both booked to showcase their work at the event.
Artist Maggie Wolters said she admired the work of Moreno which included depictions of sugar skulls in a variety of art forms and considered Tellez like a little brother she spoke with nearly everyday.
"We are facing right now a lot of questions and there are not answers," Wolters said. "There are no words to describe how I feel. I know I’m numb.”
Tellez was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters to be interviewed.
Police said he was later transported to Dallas County Jail and charged with murder.
