Where is Joel Pellot now? Details explored ahead of Married to Evil on ID

The disturbing case of Maria Munoz and Joel Pellot will be featured on the premiere episode of Married to Evil Season 2 on Investigation Discovery which is set to air on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

The series will show disturbing real-life stories where deceit within marriages leads to devastating consequences. The first episode titled A Deadly Dose brings to light the story of Maria Munoz and Joel Pellot. Their marriage unraveled under the shadow of infidelity and ended in a tragic and fatal twist.

Joel Pellot was the convicted murderer of Maria Munoz and is currently serving a life sentence at Texas Department of Criminal Justice without the possibility of parole. Following his trial in March 2023 where overwhelming evidence led to his conviction, Pellot was transferred to the maximum-security state prison in Texas.

His incarceration is a direct result of his actions on the night of September 22, 2020, which concluded with the death of his wife under circumstances he initially reported as a suicide.

The prison records indicate that Pellot has not pursued any extensive educational or rehabilitation programs that are often available to inmates. Legal attempts by Pellot’s defense team to appeal the conviction have been unsuccessful with appellate courts upholding the original verdict.

The case was heavily reliant on forensic evidence and testimonies regarding Pellot’s manipulation of prescription drugs left little room for doubt in the judiciary's eyes firmly securing his long-term imprisonment.

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How did Joel Pellot murder his wife?

Medical drugs (Image via Unsplash)

After the murder, the investigation revealed a calculated execution disguised as a suicide meticulously planned and executed by Joel Pellot.

The incident unfolded on September 22, 2020, when Pellot called 911 in the early hours to report that his wife was unresponsive which suggested that she might have overdosed on prescription pills.

When first responders arrived they attempted resuscitation but Maria was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially, Joel claimed Maria had been depressed and possibly took an overdose of clonazepam which is a medication prescribed to Joel and not his wife Maria.

Suspicion arose when police noted inconsistencies in Joel's behavior and statements at the scene. His nervous demeanor and evasive answers coupled with excessive sweating prompted further investigation.

Officers found a needle catheter on the stairs and syringes in a medical bag at their home, which were items not typically found outside a hospital setting.

An autopsy later revealed no traces of clonazepam in Maria’s system but instead, it showed a mix of several powerful drugs commonly used in surgical settings such as morphine, Demerol, Versed, propofol, ketamine, lidocaine, and Narcan.

Notably, the presence of propofol, a drug that is only administered through injection and known for its use in anesthesia pointed towards foul play. Further investigation showed a small precise puncture mark on Maria’s right elbow crease that aligns with an injection site which contradicted the initial theory of pill overdose.

This particular finding aligned with evidence from the medical examiner who confirmed the cause of death as mixed drug intoxication but ruled out suicide based on the drug types and the injection mark.

Representative image for medicines (image via Unsplash)

Joel Pellot's personal life unraveled during the investigation which revealed his ongoing affair with a coworker named Janet Arredondo. It had lasted two years during which Maria had become increasingly aware of his infidelity.

Their marriage was under severe strain and divorce had been a looming possibility discussed openly between the couple and captured in Maria’s journal entries.

The result of the evidence suggested that Joel Pellot first drugged Maria by mixing sedatives into a drink to incapacitate her. Allowing him to administer the fatal dose of propofol and other drugs via injection.

Joel Pellot’s trial exposed the depth of his deception with prosecutors using extensive forensic evidence, journal entries from Maria expressing her emotional state, and testimonies about their marital discord. The jury found Joel Pellot guilty of first-degree murder leading to his life sentence without the possibility of parole.

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Watch the episode on Investigation Discovery on Sunday, August 25, 2024.