Texas retiree Jake Clyde Merendino was found murdered on May 1 by David Maza and pregnant girlfriend

A former gay porn star, along with his girlfriend, have been arrested in conjunction with the murder of a millionaire he was reportedly in a romantic relationship with. Jake Clyde Merendino, 52, was murdered on May 1. His body was found along the highway to Ensenada and was riddled with knife wounds. 

David Enrique Maza filmed a handful of gay porn scenes in 2013 under the name Mario Romo, primarily for Next Door Studios and Cocksure Men.

Maza began dating the millionaire in 2013, but was also simultaneously dating his live-in girlfriend, Taylor Langston. Shortly after the murder, Maza emerged, with a note written on hotel stationery, stating he was the sole heir to Merendino's will. 

Authorities believe Merendino and Meza traveled to Mexico together last spring to visit Merendino’s new condo in Palacio del Mar, less than 20 miles from the U.S. border. Merendino was seen in the lobby there between 7pm and 8pm on May 1, asking for a bottle opener.

Reports the Daily Mail:

When they arrived and found that the condo was not yet ready, they drove back across the border and checked into the Hercor Hotel in Chula Vista, San Diego.

The following morning they headed back into Mexico, Merendino in his Range Rover with Meza following behind on his motorcycle – a 2014 Christmas gift from the victim, according to the affidavit.

At 10:30 that night, hotel guests report hearing a motorbike in the parking lot. Meza, the only guest with a bike, was filmed at the U.S. border shortly thereafter.

Merendino left the hotel at 1am. His body was found at about 3:30am in a ravine just a few minutes away. FBI files record Meza crossing back into the U.S. at 3.57am that morning.

A pregnant Langston was seen at the same checkpoint, about an hour later, driving a black SUV with no license plates to join Maza.

The couple later double-backed into Mexico and returned to the condo. While there, Meza told staff he had to pick up few personal items. Merendino’s iPhone, iPad and $15,000 Rolex watch were later reported missing.

Maza alegedly admitted he and Langston planned on robbing the millionaire, but they got cold feet. He told authorities he phoned Merendino the night of his death and made plans to meet at the exact spot his body was found.

He is accused of stabbing Merendino, while Langston has been charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements to police.

Maza, along with his girlfriend, maintain their innocence in the ordeal.