Former priest scheduled for extradition in Irene Garza murder case

Valley Central
March 8, 2016

http://valleycentral.com/news/local/former-priest-scheduled-for-extradition-in-irene-garza-murder-case

Investigators plan to take custody of Feit on Wednesday, according to news releases from the McAllen Police Department and Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office.

Former Priest John Feit -- the man long suspected of killing McAllen beauty queen Irene Garza -- may return to McAllen on Wednesday to face the murder charge against him.

Investigators plan to take custody of Feit on Wednesday, according to news releases from the McAllen Police Department and Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office.

District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, Sheriff Eddie Guerra and McAllen police Chief Victor Rodriguez plan to hold a news conference 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Hidalgo County Courthouse.

Irene Garza vanished on April 16, 1960, after driving to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen for confession. Days later, volunteers pulled her body from an irrigation canal.

Investigators have long suspected that Feit killed Garza, but he was never charged with any crime. Feit eventually left the priesthood and moved to Phoenix.

Prosecutors started reviewing the cold case when Rodriguez took over the District Attorney's Office last year.

On Feb. 10, a grand jury indicted Feit on the charge of murder, a first-degree felony.

Investigators arrested him in Phoenix, where he's awaiting extradition.

"On arrival, John Feit will be transported directly to and book at the Hidalgo County Jail where he will be held pending arraignment in these matters," according to the McAllen Police Department news release.