In a case that has stunned local residents, Jared James Dicus, 23, was sentenced on July 31, 2024, by a Texas judge to a 40-year prison term for the brutal murder of his new wife, Anggy Diaz. Dicus pleaded guilty to the crime, which occurred in January 2023, according to confirmation from the Waller County Sheriff’s Office.
The case began on January 11, 2023, when a 911 call from Dicus’ parents directed deputies to a small cabin located behind their home on Oak Hollow Blvd., near Magnolia, Texas. They found the decapitated body of 21-year-old Anggy Diaz in the cabin. Blood was visible all over the cabin, and Diaz’s severed head was in the shower, creating a horrifying scene.
Deputies promptly apprehended Dicus when they arrived on the scene. During the investigation, Dicus confessed to the murder. However, law enforcement has not revealed the motive behind the crime. The couple had a documented history of domestic violence, with previous calls made to their home.
Sean G. Whittmore, Waller County Criminal District Attorney, mentioned that there were concerns about Dicus’s mental health during the pretrial phase. A court-ordered psychiatric assessment deemed Dicus competent to stand trial. Dicus, as part of his plea agreement, forfeited his right to appeal and any potential insanity defense.
Whittmore underscored the community’s stance on domestic violence, stating, “Waller County does not tolerate domestic violence. Heinous crimes like this one will not go unanswered, we will seek justice for the victims of domestic violence and send a message to the perpetrators that here, we fight for our victims.”
Diaz, originally from Nicaragua, was juggling two jobs to support her family back home. Friends and colleagues warmly remembered her. Veronica Jimenez, her manager, depicted her as “a very bright girl, full of energy, never negative. She had so many goals in life.”
Diaz’s uncle and ex-legal guardian, Irvin Orellana, also spoke fondly of her vivacious personality. He pointed out that she was “the light to our family” and her loss would be eternally felt. To assist with the costs of repatriating her body to Nicaragua and her funeral expenses, the family established a GoFundMe page.
The couple had been married only since October 2022, just three months prior to the horrendous event. Their relationship, which started at Diaz’s workplace, seemed content to outsiders. However, friends noticed a shift in Diaz’s behavior following their wedding. On the day of the murder, surveillance footage captured Dicus shoplifting a beer from Diaz’s place of work, shortly before her body was found.
The brutal nature of the crime and the subsequent sentencing have profoundly impacted the community. With Dicus not eligible for parole until at least 2043, attention now shifts toward healing and justice for the family and friends of Anggy Diaz. As Whittmore reiterated, this case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of domestic violence and the resolute commitment to prosecuting such atrocious acts in Waller County.