Jose “Alex” Perez

A newly released autopsy report has revealed what caused the death of Jose Alejandro “Alex” Perez, a Tyler man who was found dead in a ditch nine days after he was reported missing.

According to a report from the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas, Perez’s death was ruled a homicide caused by “homicidal violence including chop/blunt force and neck compression.”

Smith County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Derrick Choice, who ordered the autopsy, said Wednesday the preliminary finding indicated that Perez’s body was “chopped up and mangled.” Choice said the detectives involved in the case will move forward with the investigation.

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