Two suspects are wanted for the April disappearance of a University of Houston student, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced at a news conference Monday.
Cousins Jerret Jamal Allen, 26, and Brandon Alexander Lyons, 18, allegedly used social media to lure UH student An Vinh Nguyen, 27, and at least one other victim in an attempt to rob them last spring, police said.
Nguyen, a student at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, is presumed to be dead, police said, though his body has not been found.
Allen is charged with fraud for using credit or debit cards belonging to Nguyen in April, according to court records.
Lyons has been held in Harris County Jail since April after he was arrested for taking the vehicle of Glenser Soliman, a 44-year-old nurse. A Spring-area resident found Soliman’s body in late February while walking a dog near the nurse’s home.
Investigators said Soliman’s slaying and Nguyen’s disappearance appear to be connected.
Prosecutors requested Monday that Lyons be held without bail on account of him being a flight risk.
Deputies said there may be other victims and near-victims besides Nguyen and Soliman. Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Allen, whose location is unknown.
Nguyen’s vehicle, a 2016 Jeep Renegade, was located by police in mid-April, which prompted searches by Texas Equusearch.
Police said Lyons and Allen may have used dating apps to lure their alleged victims.
Anyone with information related to the investigation can call homicide detectives at (713) 274-9226 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-8477.