Jury Sentences Fort Worth Killer to Death in Case of Ritual 'Sacrifices' and Burned Bodies

FORT WORTH, TX — A Tarrant County jury sentenced Jason Thornburg to death for killing and dismembering three people whose burned remains were found in a Fort Worth dumpster in 2021. This marks the first death penalty case tried in the county since 2019.

Thornburg, convicted of capital murder last month, was sentenced after closing arguments Wednesday in the punishment phase of the trial. Jurors rejected the defense’s argument that Thornburg, who reportedly has fetal alcohol syndrome, was not guilty by reason of insanity. The 2021 victims were identified as David Lueras, 42, Lauren Phillips, 34, and Maricruz Reyes-Mathis, 33.

Thornburg, who allegedly claimed he was following a calling to commit sacrifices, had confessed to the murders, according to an arrest warrant. He also admitted to killing his roommate, Mark Jewell, in 2021 and his girlfriend, Tanya Begay, in Arizona in 2017.

Prosecutors labeled Thornburg as a psychopath, while defense attorneys called him a serial killer and cannibal. They argued his behavior stemmed from a troubled upbringing and maternal neglect. Despite these claims, the jury sided with prosecutors, who said the death penalty was the only justice.