Smiley postmaster Perez dies from wounds caused by intentional fire

Smiley postmaster Israel Perez, 62, died at a San Antonio hospital Friday, July 25 — 11 days after suffering third-degree burns to nearly 75 percent of his body in a house fire allegedly intentionally set by his own wife.

Now, Delia Ann Trigo, 64, will face an additional charge of capital murder by terroristic threat or other felony in addition to aggravated assault and arson when her case is presented to a Gonzales County grand jury, Gonzales County Attorney Eddie Escobar confirmed Monday, July 28.

Additional charges could be filed against Trigo as there were individuals living in additional buildings on the property that had been converted into apartments. While those individuals were not seriously injured, they lost their belongings in the fire, relatives of those impacted told the Inquirer.

Trigo remains in the Gonzales County Jail in lieu of what is now $750,000 bond with the addition of the capital murder charge.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to Perez’ brother, Ismael, and sister-in-law, Sulema Allen, to help defray the cost of funeral expenses. Donations can be made at gofund.me/c430516f.

First responders were dispatched to a structure fire in the early morning hours of Monday, July 14, at 711 E. 4^th St. in Nixon. A male occupant of the house, identified as Perez, sustained severe burns in the blaze and was transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment in critical condition. Sadly, his wounds were so severe that he succumbed to them.

After the fire was extinguished, an investigation was conducted to determine the point of origin and cause of the incident. Nixon police, working together with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers, gathered evidence which indicated the fire had been intentionally set and determined that Trigo was the individual responsible.

This case still remains under investigation.