Report: Man at center of murder-suicide had anti-anxiety drug in his system

HARLINGEN — The man police say killed his ex-girlfriend and then himself on New Year's Eve had in his system a low dose of a prescription drug used to sedate surgery patients, according to the toxicology report.

Midazolam, the drug found in 28-year-old Moises Gonzalez, is classified as a benzodiazepine, a drug in the same family as Valium, Harlingen pharmacist Ruben Atencio said.

"It's known as an anxiolytic, which is used to suppress anxiety attacks or also used as a sedative," he said.

According to the toxicology report, there were 9.7 nanograms of the sedative per milliliter in Gonzalez's blood.

That level is "actually not a high blood concentration," Atencio said. "But it's certainly a dose that would exert an effect of diminished anxiety.

"Twenty-nine to about 80 is considered a therapeutic dosage (for adults)," he said. Ten is considered therapeutic in children.

The pharmacist said the drug is commonly used to relax patients before surgery as a precursor to inhaled anesthesia.

According to MayoClinic.com, the drug is used to "relieve anxiety before surgery or certain procedures. Midazolam is also given to produce amnesia so that the patient will not remember any discomfort or undesirable effects that may occur after a surgery or procedure."

Atencio noted: "It comes in a liquid formulation and intravenous formulation so it had to be injected or (taken orally). Typically it's not used on an outpatient basis because it's one of the most potent benzodiazepines available and has the ability to cause complete sedation and respiratory arrest and suppression."

According to the toxicology report, midazolam - which is sold in the United States under the brand name Versed - has significant abuse potential.

"Effects noted following use may include ... drowsiness or sleepiness ... visual disturbances ... slurred speech ... shaky movements ... intellectual impairment and coma," according to the toxicology report.

Gonzalez's two-day crime spree began when he pulled his ex-girlfriend, 23-year-old Maura Salinas Ruiz Marroquin, out of her car at a busy McAllen intersection about 3 p.m. Dec. 30 and ended with him killing himself on New Year's Eve in a stolen Cadillac he crashed into a Weslaco Wal-Mart.

During the interim, Gonzalez stole four cars, brandishing a gun at the victims; eluded police on high-speed chases along Expressway 83; and fatally shot Marroquin in an H.E.B. store in Harlingen.

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Gabriel Saldaña is a reporter for the Valley Morning Star.