Police Confirm Zuzu Verk Identified Through Dental Records

ALPINE, TX - This morning, at approximately 9 a.m., the Alpine Police announced the arrest of Robert Fabian, the boyfriend of missing 22-year-old Zuzu Renee Verk, on an outstanding warrant for "tampering with or fabricating physical evidence by concealing a human corpse." 

Two weeks after Verk's disappearance, police named Fabian a suspect (for more, visit our previous stories here, here and here). Another suspect named in the case, Chris Estrada, was "steadfast in his claims" that he and Fabian were innocent of any crime.

Officials, however, had enough evidence to obtain a warrant.

"Fabian was arrested at the 500 block of S. 16th Street in Alpine," said Alpine Police.

This arrest comes after human remains were located in a shallow grave off of Wagon Road yesterday morning by a U.S. Border Patrol agent. According to The Dallas Morning News, the agent stumbled upon the grave while servicing equipment and called the Brewster County Sheriff's Office about 10 a.m.

Alpine Police assisted the Brewster County Sheriff's Office with the investigation of the human remains located in the Sunny Glen area just northwest of Alpine, and insisted that the investigation was ongoing.  

"We would like to notify the public to avoid the area," Alpine Police said at the time. "The remains will [be] sent off for identification. We will continue to update as circumstances develop."

Yesterday evening, the Texas Rangers arrived on scene to process evidence as well. Brewster County Sheriff's personnel and Alpine Police assisted.

With that update, the Alpine Police told area residents, "The evidence collection and processing may take several days. The remains are expected to be taken to University of North Texas on Monday for identification."

However, this morning, the warrant for Fabian's arrest was executed.

Verk, a conservation biology student at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, and who graduated from Timber Creek High School in Keller, was last heard from on Oct. 12. 

LIVE! will continue to provide updates when available.

Update Feb. 6 @ 3:15 p.m. by Cameron Niblock

A press conference was held today at 3:15 p.m. in Alpine with Sheriff Dodson and Chief Scown. They officially identified the remains found on Friday as Zuzu Verk.

The biggest question for law enforcement at this time is, "Why was she killed?"

Dodson said he believes the body has been buried there since Oct. 12.

Alpine Police said they are glad the investigation has had a breakthrough and believe more information will be made available. Chris Estrada will be questioned again as to why he previously said that Fabian and himself should not be suspects in the case.  

The Bail for Robert Fabian has been set at $500,000, according to a DallasNews report. 

A judge met with Fabian at the Brewster County Jail on Monday for this arrangement, KOSA-TV in Odessa reported. 

Police also began searching Fabian's family home, reported WFFAA-TV (channel 8). 

Verk's mother, Lori Verk, "thanked god" after the grave was found on Friday.

"Thank God. Let it be over," she said. 

Verk's family was escorted Saturday evening to the site where the remains were found, WFAA-TV (Channel 8) reported. 

A statement was also issued Sunday from Verk's family thanking family, friends and the community for their support during the investigation, reported KWES-TV in Midland. 

"As our family awaits the likely news that our worst fears have been realized, our sorrow has grown alongside a sense of relief from the constant state of not knowing," Glenn Verk, father of Zuzu wrote in his statement. "Zuzu has been a bright light in our lives. It has been our greatest challenge to go forward these last months without her joyous laugh, fierce idealism and heart-melting smile, knowing we may all never have them again."

He finished the statement by saying: "As we carry on, we look forward to the the day we witness justice delivered for Zuzu." 

The Alpine Police Department is planning to provide the affidavit later today. 

Update Feb 6. @ 4:30 p.m. by Cameron Niblock 

The Alpine Police Department said further analysis will be done on the remains. They positively identified Zuzu Verk through dental records, according to an update from  Lt. Felipe Fierro, Jr. 

The remains were sent to The Institute of Forensic Sciences/Dallas County Medical Examiners Office in Dallas.

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Update Feb. 6 @ 5:05 p.m. Cameron Niblock 

Alpine police said at approximately 1:25 p.m. today, Chris Estrada was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona on a warrant for Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence by Concealing a Human Corpse in relation to the Zuzu Verk case.  

The arrest was made by the Phoenix Police Department, and Estrada was transported to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for processing.

The extradition process will soon begin to transport Estrada to Alpine, according to the press release.