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Man Charged After Mother’s Body Found in Duffel Bag in Houston Home

Disabled cameras, a locked iPhone, and blood at the scene suggest possible evidence concealment as the medical examiner seeks to determine cause and manner of death.

Overview

  • Deputies forced entry to a Valley Knoll Drive home after family members lost contact with Dyna Sorto de Malik and found her body wrapped in bloody sheets inside a large duffel bag.
  • Investigators say multiple indoor and outdoor security cameras had been disabled or repositioned and the victim’s iPhone displayed an “iPhone unavailable” lock message that is consistent with prior failed access attempts.
  • Deputies found the victim’s son, 34-year-old Arman Malik, asleep in the house, observed what appeared to be dried blood under his fingernails and scrapes on his hands, and took him to a hospital after he became unresponsive.
  • Malik was arrested on a tampering-with-a-human-corpse charge after his hospital release and court records later allege he has been charged with murder; prosecutors say additional charges could follow as forensics proceed.
  • The Harris County medical examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of the woman’s death, investigators continue to process the home for evidence, and neighbors described shock and concern after the discovery.