Texas mother-of-three found dead a day after abusive ex-husband abducted her in rented SUV
HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS: A mother-of-three was found dead over the weekend after her former husband allegedly shoved her into an SUV, reports state. The mother, identified as 37-year-old Melissa Banda, was allegedly abducted on Thursday, August 6, by 40-year-old Richard Ford and her body was found in a rural area of Hidalgo County a day later around 11.30 pm. The SUV in which she was allegedly kidnapped was also located with Banda and was reportedly a rental.
Hidalgo County Sheriff JE Eddie Guerra took to Twitter to announce that investigators have found Banda, of McAllen, dead on the night of August 7, Friday, in rural Hidalgo County. Investigators "discovered her lifeless body east of FM 493 on Mile 14 1/2 N," Guerra tweeted. "HCSO Major Crimes Unit will take lead on the Capital Murder Investigation."
At about 11:33pm yesterday’s date HCSO, McPD and FBI were following up leads on the kidnapping of 37 year old Melissa Banda and discovered her lifeless body east of FM 493 on Mile 14 1/2 N. HCSO Major Crimes Unit will take lead on the Capital Murder Investigation. pic.twitter.com/QkJUxkeDUx
— Sheriff Eddie Guerra (@SheriffGuerra) August 8, 2020
Ford, however, had already been arrested late on August 6 after witnesses reported seeing him taking his ex-wife by force into the car, according to KRGV. "Upon arrival, officers were informed that male suspect(s) 'forced female [victim]... and put her in... SUV,' a press release issued from the police department stated.
Cameron County law enforcement reportedly found Ford near Beach Access 5 on South Padre Island, hours after McAllen police announced they were searching for Banda. Authorities, on Saturday, August 8, charged him with aggravated kidnapping. It was also revealed that Banda reportedly had an order of protection against Ford and had accused him of violating the order on June 30 after he called her. "The victim reported 'her ex-husband, Richard Ford... called her... [that] morning... when answering the call Richard stayed quiet on the line... there is currently a protection order which prohibits him from making any contact with her," according to a news release issued by authorities.
A GoFundMe page set up for the benefit of Banda's children states that she has left behind her three young children aged 6, 10, and 12. The 37-year-old reportedly "coached her daughters' soccer team, worked full time, and was always willing to help out those less fortunate," according to the page. Banda's sister, Condy Banda, shared a post on Facebook on Saturday morning remembering the mother-of-three, writing: "Sister you were my everything."
Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Francisco Medrano, in a statement on Sunday, August 9, stated that "arrangements for our arraignment will be in the morning." Local officials reportedly also had help from the Federal Bureau of Information (FBI) in the case. Ford had previously pleaded guilty for attempting to commit murder in August 2002 in association with an incident in April 2001. He was also charged with assault in February 1998. He was arrested on allegations of assaulting a family member by impeding circulation, according to jail records. He was booked in county jail and his bond has been set at $2.5 million.
Banda and Ford married in July 2008, according to Hidalgo County Clerk's Office records available online. The pair, however, reportedly divorced. No records of their divorce is available online.