An ex-priest was arrested 55 years after he allegedly killed a Texas beauty queen whose body was found in a canal after she went to him for confession.
John Feit, 83, was busted Tuesday night in Scottsdale, Arizona, on a murder rap out of Hildago County, Texas, where the then 27-year-old pastor heard confession by Irene Garza, a one-time Miss South Texas.
Garza, 25 at the time, a second-grade teacher, was last seen April 16, 1960, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas, according to the Texas Rangers law enforcement authorities. Her parents reported her missing when she didn’t return home.
Her car was located near the church and her body was found five days later in the canal.
Her family’s Facebook page dedicated to seeking justice for her death was updated with the message: “Today Irene Garza gets to finally R.I.P. Justice has been served.”
Barbara Dorris, an official with Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, told NBC News she was “deeply grateful” Feit was collared.
“We hope that this move brings some hope to Garza’s family,” she said in a statement.
During the investigation, another young woman came forward and told authorities that Feit had attacked her three weeks before Garza was slain. A jury deadlocked in his 1961 trial. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and fined $500.
Feit, who was never charged in Garza’s murder, has been living in a Scottsdale retirement community, azfamily.com reported.
In 2002, a Texas Ranger was informed about a new witness, a former monk who said the priest told him during counseling that he had attacked Garza – though Feit denied killing the woman and said he had no recollection of the conversation, the site reported.
The “Justice for Irene Garza” Facebook page was inundated Wednesday with expressions of relief and happiness for the long-suffering family.
“This is my moms side of the family. I’m very happy justice will be served,” wrote Salem Blair.
“There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON this case has gone unsolved … I say investigate WHY nobody could figure this one out!!! Praying for the family & friends,” added Lisa Pesl.
Feit was awaiting extradition to Texas, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona said in a statement.