Joaquin man sentenced to 60 years for murdering woman in 2022 ‘sacrifice’

Editor’s Note: This article contains graphic material. Discretion is advised.

SHELBY COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — A Joaquin man was sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing a woman as part of a sacrifice.

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Ethan Myers was arrested in November 2022 after deputies responded to a welfare check on CR 3635 at a Joaquin residence after two people claimed Myers “had done something to Sarah Hopson.”

According to an arrest warrant, deputies found a deceased person and were able to identify her as Hopson. The two people said they had not seen Hopson since the day before and were concerned for her safety after finding blood on Myers.

Investigators said they found Hopson wrapped in a carpet in the middle of a bedroom. Records showed the door of the bedroom appeared freshly painted and the room smelled like paint.

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“Several tools such as a razor knife and several wrenches on a chest of drawers” were found in the room with cans of paint, paint brushes and Dollar General bag full of cleaning supplies. Investigators reportedly found that the body had the toes, fingers and ears cut off and were found in a freezer bag placed on the body.

Two large wounds were also found on her head that reportedly matched a rock found in Myer’s car. Records showed that investigators also found a shovel, a gallon of gasoline, Dollar General plastic bags, a hammer, a tire tool and a large rock in a trash bag in his car.

Investigators sprayed Blue Star forensic solution throughout the home that would make areas that have blood glow. The warrant said “large portions of the bedroom glowed” and showed handprints beneath the freshly painted door.

Myers pleaded guilty to murder as part of a plea bargain in the 273rd District Court and was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

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