A Texas man has been arrested and charged with murdering his girlfriend, after her body was found in the trunk of her car several hours after she was reported missing, according to police.

The Houston Police Department said 19-year-old Ariel Cruz was at the scene with the family of his 21-year-old girlfriend when her body was discovered.

During the morning hours Tuesday, the victim’s family learned she did not arrive at school when she was expected to be there.

TEXAS MAN GETS 99 YEARS IN PRISON AFTER SEVENTH DWI CONVICTION

Ariel Cruz mugshot

Ariel Cruz booking photo (Houston Police Department)

After learning that her last known location was near the 5400 block of Indigo Street in Houston, family members went to the area and found her black Honda Civic parked on the street.

The family conducted a search for the victim, and after finding no sign of her, they contacted police to report her missing.

Hours later, at about 5:40 p.m., a family member forced their way into the victim’s Honda Civic, opened the trunk and found her in an unresponsive state.

6 INMATES MURDER FELLOW PRISONER AT TEXAS JAIL, OFFICIALS CONCERNED OVER POTENTIAL RETALIATION: SHERIFF

Houston police vehicles

Houston Police Department patrol vehicles. (Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

EMS responded to the scene, where they pronounced the victim dead.

Police said the female victim had signs of trauma to her face.

TEXAS MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HATE CRIME, ARSON ATTACK ON AUSTIN SYNAGOGUE

police car lights

As the investigation unfolded, detectives identified Cruz as a suspect. (iStock)

As the investigation unfolded, detectives identified Cruz as a suspect. Cruz was on the scene with the family as they searched for the victim, whose identity has been withheld pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Cruz was apprehended at the scene by detectives, and upon questioning, police said, he allegedly confessed to his role in his girlfriend’s death.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

He was subsequently charged with murder, police added.