VOLUNTEERS SEARCH WOODED AREAS AND CREEKS FOR MISSING TEXAS MOTHER, 42, AS HER THREE CHILDREN DESPERATELY WAIT FOR ANSWERS

More than six weeks after Marjulin Daiuru Briceño Arrieta disappeared, volunteers are still searching remote areas of North Texas. Her estranged husband is wanted on a murder charge, but her whereabouts remain unknown.

The search for a missing Texas mother of three is continuing as volunteers comb through wooded areas, creek beds and difficult terrain, hoping to find answers for a family desperate to know what happened to her.

Marjulin Daiuru Briceño Arrieta, 42, was last seen on September 28, 2026, after meeting her estranged husband, Richard Pastor Perez, at his apartment in Denton, Texas.

More than a month later, her family is still waiting for answers. Police believe she was killed and have obtained a murder arrest warrant for Perez. However, her body has not been found, and Perez remains at large.

A recent discovery along Highway 380 has given volunteer search teams a new lead — her wallet, which was found nearly three weeks after she disappeared.

HER WALLET WAS FOUND ALONG A RURAL HIGHWAY

On October 18, volunteers searching along Highway 380 discovered a wallet belonging to Marjulin.

The wallet reportedly contained her identification, credit cards and other personal belongings.

The discovery was made during a volunteer-led search organized by private investigator Alfonso Solis. After weeks without a significant breakthrough, the finding offered searchers a possible direction to investigate.

Solis said the discovery could help narrow the area where teams should concentrate their efforts. The items were turned over to law enforcement.

Another item connected to Marjulin was reportedly found during the search, although the team did not publicly disclose what it was.

For her family, the discovery brought an emotional mixture of hope and heartbreak. It was evidence connected to Marjulin, but it still did not answer the question they most desperately wanted answered: Where is she?

VOLUNTEERS RETURN TO WOODS AND CREEKS

The search has continued into November.

On November 8, approximately 20 volunteers joined another organized search along Highway 380, near the Wise County line.

The teams focused on wooded areas, creek beds and rough terrain along a route investigators and search organizers believe Perez may have traveled.

Solis told FOX 4 that the search area had been narrowed to approximately 15 linear miles — considerably smaller than the roughly 350-mile area initially considered.

“We’ve narrowed it down to, you know, maybe 15 linear miles. 15 linear miles is so much better than 350 linear miles. So, we’re close,” Solis said.

Although the discovery of the wallet has helped guide the effort, searchers still face difficult terrain and many unanswered questions.

Volunteers say their goal is to keep looking until they can help bring some measure of closure to Marjulin’s family.

HER 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IS TRYING TO CARE FOR HER YOUNGER BROTHER

Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the case is what Marjulin’s disappearance has meant for her three children.

Her youngest son is just 9 years old. Her eldest daughter is 18.

According to Denisse Carrera, a family advocate who has been speaking publicly about the children’s situation, the teenager is now trying to care for her younger brother while dealing with the possibility that their mother may never come home.

Carrera shared the young woman’s emotional words with FOX 4.

“She’s like, I had hopes and dreams. I wanted to go to college, and now I’m adopting my brother. And she’s like, and now I’m trying to be a mom for my little brother, and I feel dead inside,” Carrera recounted.

The teenager’s words reveal the enormous burden placed on a young woman who should be planning her own future, not trying to fill the role of a missing parent.

For the children, the search is not simply about solving a criminal investigation. It is about finding their mother and understanding why she never came home.

POLICE BELIEVE SHE WAS KILLED — BUT HER BODY HAS NOT BEEN FOUND

Denton police say investigators believe Marjulin was murdered after examining evidence surrounding her disappearance.

According to the department, she met Perez at his apartment in the 1900 block of North Ruddell Street at approximately 6:45 p.m. on September 28.

Her family reported her missing after they were unable to reach her and became concerned for her safety.

Police later found her vehicle abandoned near Perez’s apartment. Investigators also discovered that the license plates on the vehicles had been switched.

Surveillance and license plate recognition cameras helped detectives trace Perez’s white 2013 Ford Escape through parts of Texas and into New Mexico.

The vehicle was eventually located in Albuquerque. Investigators recovered hotel surveillance footage showing a man matching Perez’s description leaving the vehicle before it was abandoned. Police said no one else was seen exiting the SUV in the footage.

Based on evidence recovered during the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Perez with murder.

Authorities believe Marjulin is dead, but her remains have not been located.

DENTON POLICE AND FBI CONTINUE SEARCHING FOR PEREZ

Denton Police Department and FBI Dallas are continuing their efforts to locate Perez.

He is believed to have left Texas, but his current whereabouts remain unknown.

Denton County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone with information about Perez’s location is encouraged to contact Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip through its website.

THREE CHILDREN ARE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR MOTHER

As volunteers continue searching through remote areas of North Texas, Marjulin’s children are left facing a reality no family should have to endure.

Her wallet has been recovered. A murder warrant has been issued. Investigators have traced the movements of the man they believe is responsible.

But the most important answer is still missing.

Her children do not know where their mother is, and they have not been able to say goodbye.

For the volunteers walking through wooded areas and along creek beds, every search is another attempt to bring answers to a family that has waited far too long.

And for three children, the hope remains that someone will finally find their mother.