san antonio tx, October 16, 2025
News Summary
Bexar County officials have charged 23-year-old Samuel Aquim Charon with capital murder and tampering with a corpse in the case of 63-year-old Stacey Dramiga. Dramiga went missing after a walk on a local trail, and her remains were later discovered. DNA evidence linked Charon to the crime after he was arrested on a separate charge. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement processing additional evidence.
San Antonio — Bexar County officials have identified 23-year-old Samuel Aquim Charon as the suspect in the murder of 63-year-old Stacey Dramiga. Charon has been charged with capital murder and tampering with a corpse. The arrest followed a DNA match after a separate arrest in which a sample was entered into the state database.
What happened and how the suspect was identified
Stacey Dramiga went missing on September 22, 2024, after leaving for a walk on the Salado Creek Greenway trail, a routine activity for her. Family members reported her missing hours after she did not return home. Her remains were discovered on September 23, 2024, in a wooded area along the trail, specifically near Dafoste Park. The remains showed signs of sexual assault and were partially burned. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was blunt force and penetrating trauma to the head.
Investigators collected DNA samples from Dramiga’s remains and from a nearby rock believed to be the murder weapon. Those samples indicated male DNA, but there was no match in the national CODIS database initially. A breakthrough occurred on April 9, 2025, when Charon was arrested on a separate charge of criminal mischief, and his DNA was collected and entered into CODIS. Authorities were notified of a match for Charon’s DNA on Monday prior to his arrest. A search warrant was executed to collect a second DNA sample from Charon, which confirmed the match with the crime scene evidence.
Arrest and immediate case status
Charon was taken into custody without incident and showed no emotional reaction during questioning. He reportedly lived approximately a 10-minute walk from where Dramiga’s body was found. Sheriff Javier Salazar described the crime as one of the most heinous he has encountered, referring to it as a savage crime. Sheriff Salazar credited a new state law which allows for DNA samples to be collected from individuals booked on felony charges, facilitating the identification of Charon. Charon previously had no significant criminal history prior to his April arrest.
Charges and procedural details
- Charges filed: capital murder and tampering with a corpse.
- Cause of death: blunt force and penetrating trauma to the head, as determined by the medical examiner.
- Evidence linking suspect: DNA from remains and a rock believed to be the murder weapon matched Charon after his DNA was entered into CODIS following a separate arrest.
- Arrest circumstances: taken into custody without incident; second DNA sample collected under search warrant confirmed the match.
Ongoing investigation and community response
The investigation into the case remains ongoing, with no additional suspects identified at this time. Family members and friends have expressed deep sadness and a desire for justice. Law enforcement continues to process evidence and pursue follow-up interviews and forensic testing as part of standard homicide procedures.
Background context
The sequence of events in this case highlights the role of forensic databases and recent changes in state law. The new state law allowing DNA samples to be taken from individuals booked on felony charges was cited by the sheriff as a key factor that eventually linked Charon to the crime. Prior to the April 9, 2025 arrest on criminal mischief charges, there had been no match to the male DNA profile in CODIS.
Investigators are expected to present the case to prosecutors for charging decisions and potential court proceedings. As with all ongoing criminal investigations, officials have indicated that additional details will be released as they become available and as investigative and legal steps allow.
FAQ
Who was identified as the suspect in the murder of Stacey Dramiga?
Bexar County officials have identified 23-year-old Samuel Aquim Charon as the suspect in the murder of 63-year-old Stacey Dramiga.
What charges were filed against the suspect?
Charon has been charged with capital murder and tampering with a corpse.
When did Stacey Dramiga go missing and where?
Dramiga went missing on September 22, 2024, after leaving for a walk on the Salado Creek Greenway trail, a routine activity for her.
When and where were Dramiga’s remains found?
Her remains were discovered on September 23, 2024, in a wooded area along the trail, specifically near Dafoste Park.
What did the medical examiner determine as the cause of death?
The medical examiner determined the cause of death was blunt force and penetrating trauma to the head.
How was the suspect identified through DNA evidence?
A breakthrough occurred on April 9, 2025, when Charon was arrested on a separate charge of criminal mischief, and his DNA was collected and entered into CODIS. Authorities were notified of a match for Charon’s DNA on Monday prior to his arrest. A search warrant was executed to collect a second DNA sample from Charon, which confirmed the match with the crime scene evidence.
Did the suspect have a criminal history prior to April?
Charon previously had no significant criminal history prior to his April arrest.
What is the status of the investigation?
The investigation into the case remains ongoing, with no additional suspects identified at this time.
Key case features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Samuel Aquim Charon, 23 |
| Victim | Stacey Dramiga, 63 |
| Charges | Capital murder and tampering with a corpse |
| Missing | September 22, 2024 |
| Remains found | September 23, 2024 — wooded area along Salado Creek Greenway near Dafoste Park |
| Cause of death | Blunt force and penetrating trauma to the head |
| DNA breakthrough | April 9, 2025 — DNA entered into CODIS after separate arrest; match later confirmed |
| Location relevance | Charon lived approximately a 10-minute walk from where Dramiga’s body was found |
| Investigation status | Ongoing; no additional suspects identified at this time |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2024 | Dramiga went missing after leaving for a walk on the Salado Creek Greenway trail | Reported by family / Investigation |
| September 23, 2024 | Remains discovered in wooded area near Dafoste Park; showed signs of sexual assault and partial burning | Medical examiner / Crime scene |
| Initial forensic testing (date unspecified) | DNA from remains and nearby rock indicated male DNA; no CODIS match initially | Forensic lab |
| April 9, 2025 | Charon arrested on separate charge of criminal mischief; DNA collected and entered into CODIS | Arrest records / CODIS entry |
| Monday prior to April 9, 2025 | Authorities were notified of a match for Charon’s DNA | Forensic notification |
| After match notification | Search warrant executed to collect a second DNA sample; match confirmed; Charon charged | Law enforcement / Prosecutors |
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Additional Resources
- Express News
- Wikipedia: Stacey Dramiga
- KSAT
- Google Search: Stacey Dramiga
- KENS5
- Google Scholar: Stacey Dramiga
- FOX San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Stacey Dramiga
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google News: Stacey Dramiga
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
