Body found in seneca creek leads to murder charge
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Body found in Seneca Creek leads to murder charge

by
February 10, 2026
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Arrest made in Seneca Creek homicide after yearslong investigation

Gaithersburg, MD – Nearly three years after a body was discovered in Seneca Creek, a homicide investigation reached a major turning point with the arrest of a suspect now charged in the killing of a Gaithersburg man.

Montgomery County police announced that a 22-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the July 9, 2023 death of 45-year-old Jose Israel Centeno Velasquez of Gaithersburg. Tips from the public helped investigators identify the victim after his body was found in the creek near Black Rock Road and the Seneca Creek Trail in Germantown.

On the day of the discovery, officers from the Montgomery County Police Department’s 1st District and Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to reports of a body in the water. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where officials determined he died from multiple injuries and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

Detectives with the Montgomery County Police Department Major Crimes Division led the investigation and identified Franklin Villalobos Gomez as a suspect. An arrest warrant charging him with first-degree murder was obtained on February 8.

Villalobos Gomez was taken into custody on February 9 by the Montgomery County Police Criminal Street Gang Unit. He is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit pending a bond hearing scheduled for February 10.

Key Points

  • A suspect has been arrested in the 2023 Seneca Creek homicide
  • The victim was identified as 45-year-old Jose Israel Centeno Velasquez of Gaithersburg
  • The suspect faces a first-degree murder charge and remains in custody awaiting a bond hearing
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News