COLLEGE STATION, Texas — College Station police have released new details in a New Year's Eve homicide investigation at a local apartment complex.
Ricardo Ramirez, 23, of College Station, has been named as a person of interest in the case. He was arrested January 8 on unrelated charges. Investigators said Ramirez was named as one of several individuals authorities are looking into, and when he was arrested on January 8, he was found with property they believe is linked to the crime scene.
A person of interest is someone whom investigators believe to be linked to the crime, but don't specify what their role in the crime might be. A suspect is a known person whom investigators believe committed a crime.
Ramirez was arrested by College Station police on January 8. According to court documents, he was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon. He had a warrant for his arrest on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and theft of a firearm. At the time of his January 8 arrest, he was out on bond on charges out of Brazos County for two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a dangerous drug. He also was out on bond from an unlisted jurisdiction for manual delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.
Ramirez is currently in the Brazos County Jail on $242,000 bond.
RELATED: College Station police continue homicide investigation, funeral services set for Ashli Stewart
Stewart was found dead on New Year's Eve in her apartment at the 2818 Place Apartments on Harvey Mitchell Parkway South. Her roommate called police around 3:30 p.m. and said she came home and found Stewart unresponsive.
Police said early in the investigation they did not believe the public was in any danger and the crime was not a random act of violence. They said they believe the person or persons responsible for the death of Stewart is known to the area.
This is what we do not know. Police have not released the names of any suspects in this crime. They have not released information on how Stewart died. They have not released information on what property they believe Ramirez had in his possession that is linked to the homicide investigation.
Investigators said they have sent several pieces of evidence to the state crime lab to be tested for DNA, but do not have a timeline on when the results will be released.
Stewart was laid to rest on January 11 at Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland. Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers handled her arrangements and said a custom-made pink casket had been made for her because her favorite color was hot pink with glitter. There has been an outpouring of support from loved ones of Stewart and many have been hoping for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for her death.
If you have any information that could help College Station police, please call 979-764-3600. You can send an anonymous text to Crime Stoppers at 979-775-8477. They are offering an award up to $1,000.
This is a developing story. We will keep you updated as more information comes in.