Warning: This article discusses themes of rape and violence that may be distressing to some readers.
A man on death row, scheduled for execution soon, admitted to his parents that he “turned into the devil” during the brutal rape and murder of a former schoolmate, 20-year-old Rachelle O’Neil Tolleson.
On March 18, 2004, Tolleson, a young mother, was strangled to death. Her body was then concealed in a field, later placed in a dirt pit in Collin County, Texas, set ablaze, and buried.
Moises S. Mendoza was apprehended and found guilty of capital murder for this crime.
In a letter to his parents, Mendoza expressed his feelings, stating as quoted by The Courier-Gazette: “I don’t know what happened to me at that moment. I turned into the devil and after I did something that I thought was in a dream.”
Having been on death row for five years, Mendoza, now 40, is scheduled for execution by lethal injection on Wednesday, April 23.
During an episode of the Forensic Files podcast, Tolleson’s mother, Pam O’Neil, disclosed that Tolleson and Mendoza attended the same grade school classes.
According to court documents, Mendoza attended a party at Tolleson’s house the Friday before her murder, as reported by The Austin American Statesman.
On March 18, Mendoza allegedly visited Tolleson’s residence, where she lived with her daughter Avery, and the two went out to buy cigarettes.
Court records indicate that Mendoza confessed to choking Tolleson “for no reason,” before taking her to a nearby field, where he raped and killed her.
Reports state that he later disposed of her body in a “dug-out pit,” stabbed her neck with a knife to confirm her death, and set her remains on fire.
He reportedly explained to the police that this was an attempt to “destroy fingerprints,” according to The Courier Gazette.
A clinical psychologist later described Mendoza as “psychologically underdeveloped.”
During the sentencing phase, former Collin County First Assistant District Attorney Greg Davis described Mendoza as “one of the most violent, sadistic men” he had ever prosecuted.
About a year after Tolleson’s death, her mother spoke publicly.
Reflecting on her daughter, she said: “Avery was her life and I was so proud of her when she became a mommy. Everything just came so naturally to her. I hate that Avery won’t have memories of her.”
If Mendoza’s execution proceeds, he will become the third individual executed in Texas this year, following Richard Tabler and Steven Nelson.
If you have been impacted by any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. You can also chat online at online.rainn.org