Little Elm Murder Update: Victim Identified, Woman Held On $1M Bond

Yahoo

18-06-2025

An apparent fentanyl overdose in January that claimed the life of a 32-year-old Grapevine man has now led to a murder charge.
According to a police report released on June 18 by the Little Elm Police Department, Ryan Alexander Schultz died on January 13, 2025, at a residence on East University Drive. The report lists the offense as murder and identifies Ysabel Natividad Marquez, 26, as the suspect. She was arrested on June 17 and remains in the Denton County Jail on a $1 million bond.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner Schultz's death an accident, citing 'fentanyl toxicity' as the cause of death. But police now believe Marquez was the person who supplied the drugs that killed him.
Schultz, born June 15, 1992, was mourned in an online obituary describing him as a beloved figure whose 'spirit ascends to join the cosmic dance of stars.'
In a statement to CBS News, Little Elm Police spokesperson Drew Bailey confirmed the case is tied to the January overdose. 'Through the investigation, detectives identified the individual arrested today as the person who supplied the drugs to the victim,' Bailey said. 'As this remains an ongoing investigation, no further information is available at this time.'
This new detail sheds light on the arrest that sparked concern earlier this week. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Marquez was booked into the Denton County Jail shortly after 12:00 AM on June 17. The arresting agency was listed as the Little Elm Police Department, though no initial information about the victim or the nature of the alleged crime had been released.
Under Texas law, murder is a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison. Prosecutors may elevate charges to capital murder in qualifying cases.
Public records reviewed by The Dallas Express indicate that Marquez may have a criminal history. A previous mugshot published by Mugshot Zones shows her arrested on a high-BAC DUI charge. In 2022, The Denton County Chronicle reported that a 'Ysabel Marquez' who was the same age as the newly arrested Ysabel had been indicted for possession of a controlled substance in a case involving The Colony Police Department.
Social media profiles that appear to belong to her include photos matching her mugshot and show images of her with a young child.
Authorities have not commented on whether Marquez's previous offenses are connected to the current case. It is unclear how the victim and the alleged suspect knew each other. The investigation remains active.
The Dallas Express was the first outlet to report on the arrest at 4:30 PM on June 17.