Suspect Arrested, Charged in Fatal Shooting at 1205 Barkley Street

Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a woman that occurred at 1205 Barkley Street about 3 a.m. on December 1.
The suspect, Jesus Varela, 48, is charged with felony murder and tampering with evidence in the 209 Criminal District Court and misdemeanor assault of a family member and unlawful restraint in Harris County Criminal Court #9. A booking photo of Varela is attached to this news release.
The victim is identified as Christelrose Ramirez, 41.
HPD Homicide Division Detectives E. Torres and A. Graf reported:
On December 6, the Department of Public Safety’s Texas Rangers were notified of a homicide that occurred at the above address on December 1. After an initial investigation, they notified the Houston Police Department.
HPD Homicide detectives learned the suspect, identified as Varela, fatally shot his girlfriend in their home. The suspect then assaulted, threatened and forced a family member to assist with hiding the victim’s body. Officers arrested Varela on December 7 and he was charged with tampering with evidence and the two misdemeanors.
On December 10, investigators located the victim’s body inside a chemical container in a wooded area near the 800 block of Rushcreek Drive. An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences determine the victim was shot multiple times.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was consulted and Varela was charged with murder on December 12.

Jesus Varela
SOA/JKS    12-15-25
Inc. #159018725