UPDATE: The body of alleged serial killer and convicted rapist Fernando Cota is set to be exhumed from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. This urgent development comes following legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas. Cota, a Vietnam War veteran, is a prime suspect in the murders of six women and was buried in the cemetery in 1984.
This decision to disinter Cota’s remains follows a request from the son of one of his alleged victims. Cornyn stated, “Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a sacred resting place for more than 170,000 respected veterans and their loved ones, and it would be a slap in the face to each one of them to allow Fernando Cota, a convicted rapist and alleged serial murderer, to remain buried amongst such heroes.”
Cota served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After returning, he faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and was linked to the murders of six women in San Jose, California. In 1975, he was convicted of binding and raping a nurse in El Paso, Texas, and was paroled in 1983.
The sequence of events took a tragic turn when Cota shot himself in 1984 after a police stop revealed the body of 21-year-old Kim Marie Dunham in his van, just a day after she went missing. Following his death, authorities discovered a small cell in his home, equipped with handcuffs and shackles, indicating a history of horrific crimes. Detectives found fingerprints that led to identifying other victims, who had been strangled, stabbed, or beaten to death.
In addition to the gruesome evidence, police uncovered fake ID cards, a false police badge, women’s clothing, and flyers seeking roommates that Cota had posted at San Jose State University.
New laws now prevent individuals convicted of specific crimes from being buried in national cemeteries, but this legislation was enacted after Cota’s burial. Co-sponsor U.S. Senator Ted Cruz echoed Cornyn’s sentiments, emphasizing, “A convicted rapist should not be buried with honor among our nation’s heroes.”
The timeline for Cota’s exhumation remains unclear, but this significant move is poised to bring closure to the families affected by his alleged crimes. As this story develops, further updates are expected, and the implications of this decision will resonate through both the military community and the families of the victims.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent and evolving case.
