Family Of Joshua Wilkerson Say Suspected Killer Hermilo Moralez Lying About Motive; Police Hint That Investigation Likely To Lead To More Arrests

The Family of Joshua Wilkerson, the 18 year old high school student from Pearland, Texas, whom police say was murdered by a 19 year old classmate, Hermilo Moralez, insists the suspected killer, is lying about his motive, KHOU- 11 reports. John Crochet, Joshua’s uncle, says “Everything you hear, don’t judge a book by its cover. This guy is not human, so don’t believe what he’s saying. There have been some accusations by this animal that some sexual advances were made. We have no reason to believe that would ever have happened. The bottom line is whatever happened, he didn’t deserve to die.” Moralez told police that he beat his classmate to death with a wooden rod after Wilkerson made unwanted sexual advances. He told police that Wilkerson had given him a ride home, and that after making the sexual overture, the two teens began to fight, Moralez hitting Wilkerson with the wooden rod several times before killing him. Police then believe Moralez partially burned the body, before dumping it in an overgrown field Tuesday afternoon. When the body was found Wednesday, police say the hands and feet were bound. A large amount of blood was found on the back patio of Moralez’s father’s home, and the wooden rod was discovered nearby. Moralez is being held without bond. He is also awaiting trial on an unrelated harassment charge. Police and Wilkerson’s family hint that there is much more behind the teen’s murder, authorities investigating a faked Facebook page purportedly belonging to Wilkerson that was created after his murder, but while Moralez was in custody.