Texas man charged with kidnapping in death of soccer mom who was his ex-wife
Richard Ford, 40, was also under investigation for capital murder
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Texas man has been charged with kidnapping in the death of his ex-wife – a soccer mom with three children, according to reports.
Richard Ford, 40, was also facing a capital murder investigation into the death of the woman, Melissa Banda, 37, authorities said.
Ford was arrested after deputies searching through brush in a rural part of Hidalgo found her body Friday, KRGV-TV reported Sunday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Thursday, McAllen police began looking for Ford after they said he had been seen forcing Banda into a white SUV against her will, the station reported.
Mugshot for RIchard Ford, 40. (Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office )
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Banda had accused him of violating a protective order she obtained against him on June 30.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The victim reported 'her ex-husband, Richard Ford ... called her ... [that] morning ... when answering the call Richard stayed quiet on the line ... there is currently a protection order which prohibits him from making any contact with her,'" police said, according to the station.
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Deputies found Ford and the SUV on San Padre Island.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“HCSO Major Crimes Unit will take lead on the Capital Murder Investigation," Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. "Eddie" Guerra said on Twitter.
Friends on GoFundMe described Banda as a smart and kind woman who had three children, ages 6, 10 and 12, and coached her daughters’ soccer team.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}KVEO-TV reported Sunday that Ford was released from prison in 2010 after serving eight years on an attempted murder charge.