Death Penalty Sought For Suspected Texas Serial Killer Who Allegedly Killed 'Human Sacrifices'

Prosecutors in Texas are seeking out the death penalty for a man they allege killed multiple people during “human sacrifices.”

Jason Alan Thornburg, 41, was indicted last year on capital murder charges for the deaths of Lauren Phillips, 34, Maricruz Mathis, 33, and David Luera, 42, according to a previous statement from the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office.

Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Sharen Wilson announced on Monday that “it is only fitting that we seek the death penalty in this case.” In her press release, she stated that the proper paperwork to do so has now been filed.

The three victims’ dismembered bodies were found burning in a Fort Worth dumpster in September. Thornburg has allegedly admitted to killing all three people, telling investigators that he believed God called him to kill them in “human sacrifices,” according to court documents obtained by KTVT.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Thornburg told investigators that he had “an in-depth knowledge of the Bible and believed he was being called on to commit sacrifices.”

He allegedly detailed how he cut Lueras into pieces before hiding his remains in his room in trash bags for a while.

"The death penalty is reserved for the worst of the worst criminals,” Wilson added.

In her press release, she noted that Thornburg also faces unrelated murder and arson charges for allegedly killing his roommate Mark Jewell, 61, and setting their home ablaze last year, WFAA reported. 

In total, Thornburg has been linked to five murders. Investigators also claim that he has admitted to killing his girlfriend Tanya Begay, a missing New Mexico woman, local outlet NBC 5 reports. She vanished after taking a trip with Thornburg in 2017. In March, he was indicted on first-degree murder, assault with intent to commit murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in regards to Begay.

Thornburg currently remains jailed on a $1.2 million bond.