BUNA, Texas — After over a two-year long investigation, an arrest has been made in connection to the disappearance and murder of Cristi Ruso.
Ruso was reported missing on Oct. 21, 2021 in the 1800 block of County Road 777 in Buna. She went missing the day after she was released from the Jasper County Jail.
Colby Tatom, 29, of Buna, was was arrested at the WalMart in Lumberton on Thursday night, Jan. 4, 2023, at about 9 p.m.
He was initially taken to Hardin County Jail where Jasper County deputies picked him up on Friday morning.
He is now being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $1 million bond.
On Feb, 23, 2023, deputies and FBI agents executed a search warrant at a home on County Road 777 in Buna. On March 1, 2023, law enforcement got another warrant to search a nearby property based on what they found during February’s search.
Investigators sent DNA samples taken from that property to be analyzed at a crime lab in Houston.
At the time Tatom was arrested during the investigation on non-related charges of driving while license invalid, a child safety seat violation, theft and drug charges.
On Dec. 21, 2023, Ruso's case was presented to Jasper County District Attorney Anne Pickle, according to a news release from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.
After hearing evidence from Captain Jason McClelland, the grand jury indicted Tatom with murder and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
"The evidence that was presented as well as other things that were presented to the grand jury that we can't speak on at this time, as for the preservations of this case and the investigation," said Jasper County Chief Deputy Scott Duncan.
Authorities say evidence shows that Tatom is responsible for Ruso's death.
"We received a search warrant, we conducted a search of the residence. We called into the FBI crime units that assisted us search," Duncan said.
Ruso’s movements on the day she went missing were verified up until she returned to Tatom’s home on County Road 777 in Buna, according to the release.
Officials say evidence shows that Tatom murdered Ruso and disposed of her body.
"Our agency would like to commend Captain Jason McClelland for his perseverance in this case and his dedication to the family throughout the investigation," Cherry said in the news release.
Cherry says McClelland made this case a priority since day one.
"We appreciate the countless hours he has put in to find the truth," she said in the release.
A lot of work went into this case, according to Duncan.
"We followed many trails, and many pieces of evidence and interviewed many people. Followed many, many leads that got us to this point today. So, we are going to continue this investigation and continue working hard and bring this case to justice for the family," he said.
The Jasper County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety – Ranger Division, The Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Team, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, the US Marshals Office, Texas EquuSearch, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Lumberton Police Department and many other agencies were involved in this investigation.
"This was truly a team effort. Our prayers are with the family of Cristi Ruso, we are hopeful that they can finally have some closure and that justice can be served," Cherry said in the release.
In early 2023, Texas EquuSearch and the Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog Team helped deputies and state troopers search property along County Road 777 in Buna.
Both specialized agencies were brought in by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.
“Texas Equusearch, you know, obviously has specialties that they can provide as well,” Cherry previously told 12News. “And so we have reached out to them and they've graciously provided, as well as other entities that we have reached out to. So we're looking for factual evidence, and we're going to do this right.”
Ruso was last seen in the area investigators searched. A 12News crew at the scene saw the search party digging with shovels and using a giant excavator.
The intensity of the search gave Ruso's family a newfound hope.
"Cristi is my niece," Debbie Wilson, Ruso's aunt, previously told 12News. "We miss her, and I can say we want her home, but we know we won't have her anymore. But at least we'll have closure."
