A border patrol agent was found dead in an apparent suicide in his home, where authorities also discovered a naked and bound young woman, NBCNews.com reported.
Though the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has not provided many details on the case, officials claim they discovered Esteban Manzanares, 32, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Additionally, investigators found blood and remnants of duct tape in the car he was assigned to that day.
"It's really hard to believe," said Susan Manzanares, the ex-wife of Manzanares. She recalled her ex-husband a kind man and good father to his two small children, who have cystic fibrosis. "What surprises me is that he would leave his children."
An investigation into Manzanares began after a woman was found bloodied with cuts near the U.S.-Texas border. According to the unidentified woman, she and two other women turned themselves in to a border patrol agent after coming from Honduras. She then said the agent took them to another area, assaulted them, and then left with one of the women.
All of the women were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske issued a public apology following the incident.
"I want you to know that I consider these actions, if true, to be reprehensible and I know they are not representative of the agents of the U.S. Border Patrol," Kerlikowske said. "I am deeply sorry that this incident occurred and am committed to doing everything in my power to prevent incidents like this from occurring again."
Nelly Ceniceros, sister of Susana Manzanares and U.S. soldier, said her family wants the truth.
"We want the truth, even if the truth is something my sister and I and everybody else doesn't want to hear," Ceniceros said.
