Jason Alan Thornburg, a convicted serial killer, sits on Texas’ death row for the gruesome and ritualistic murders of multiple victims. Between 2017 and 2021, he killed at least five people across Texas and Arizona, dismembering their bodies and even engaging in cannibalism. Thornburg claimed his murders were sacrificial offerings to God, a disturbing motive that played a central role in his trial.
The 2021 Fort Worth Murders
In September 2021, authorities in Fort Worth, Texas, responded to a fire in a dumpster. What they found inside was horrifying—dismembered human remains belonging to three victims:
- David Lueras, 42
- Lauren Phillips, 34
- Maricruz Mathis, 33
Investigators traced the bodies back to a local inn where Thornburg had been staying. Over the course of a week, he had killed and dismembered all three victims. His methods were particularly gruesome: he slit throats, strangled, and stabbed, then butchered the bodies, storing parts in bins before setting them on fire. Thornburg later admitted to engaging in cannibalism and necrophilia with the remains.
His motive? He believed he was fulfilling a spiritual duty by committing “sacrifices” to God.
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His Other Victims
After his arrest, Thornburg confessed to two additional murders:
- Tanya Begay (2017): A 37-year-old Navajo woman who went missing in Arizona after traveling with Thornburg. He later admitted to killing her for sacrificial purposes, though her body has never been recovered.
- Mark Jewell (May 2021): Thornburg’s former roommate, whose death was initially ruled an accident. Thornburg later confessed to slitting his throat and setting the house on fire to cover up the murder.
Capture and Trial
Surveillance footage from the area of the dumpster fire helped police identify Thornburg as a suspect. He was arrested on September 27, 2021, and during questioning, he confessed in chilling detail to all five murders.
During his trial in November 2024, the defense argued that Thornburg suffered from mental illness, fetal alcohol syndrome, and a traumatic brain injury. They claimed these conditions impaired his judgment, leading him to believe he was carrying out divine sacrifices. However, prosecutors countered that Thornburg was fully aware of his actions. They presented evidence showing he tried to cover up his crimes and even crafted weapons while in jail.
On December 4, 2024, a Texas jury sentenced Thornburg to death for the murders of Lueras, Phillips, and Mathis. He is now incarcerated at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit, where he awaits execution.
Conclusion
Jason Alan Thornburg’s case is one of the most shocking examples of ritualistic serial killings in recent Texas history. His disturbing confessions, gruesome methods, and claims of divine inspiration make him a uniquely terrifying figure in the world of true crime. As he awaits execution, his case serves as a grim reminder of the darkest depths of human violence.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
