Galveston Couple Charged In Cyberbully Case That Allegedly Led To Girl’s Suicide

GALVESTON, TX -- Two people have been indicted by a Galveston County Grand Jury on charges related to cyberbullying and the suicide of 18-year old Brandy Vela in November 2016.

Vela, who was a senior and Texas City High School, had complained to her family of online torment and harassment through threatening phone calls and fake online social media accounts.

On Nov. 29, the weekend after Thanksgiving, Vela stood in her bedroom with a handgun pressed to her chest, and pulled the trigger as her family pleaded with her to put the gun down.

She died on her way to Clear Lake Regional Hospital.

Andres Arturo Villagomez, 21, Vela’s former boyfriend and Karinthya Sanchez Romero, 22, who is Villagomez current girlfriend, were arrested Thursday by Texas City Police Investigators.

Villagomez is accused of publishing nude photos of Vela and is charged with unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material,a Class A Misdemeanor, and is being held on a $2,500 bond.

If he is convicted, he faces a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Romero is charged with stalking and online impersonation, both of which are felonies, and is being held on a $20,000 bond.

According to Romero’s indictment, she made threatening anonymous phone calls to Vela, and stalked her online.

If she is convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 for each charge.

Texas City Police are still investigating this case.