Alpine police arrest boyfriend of missing Zuzu Verk

Alpine Police arrested the boyfriend of Zuzu Verk Saturday morning, a day after finding human remains in a shallow grave near the area she went missing four months ago.

Police said some of the information on the arrest affidavit shows that evidence at the scene, including human remains have features that are consistent with Zuzu Verk.

Alpine investigators said they believe that the remains are of Zuzu Verk, but won't be certain until positive ID is made by forensic examiners.

Police said her boyfriend, Robert Fabian, was arrested on a warrant for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence by concealing a human corpse.

“Alpine Police Department is assisting Brewster County Sheriff's Office with human remains that have been located in the Sunny Glen area just north west of Alpine. The remains were located in a shallow grave just off of Wagon Road. The investigation is ongoing and we would like to notify the public to avoid the area. The remains will be sent off for identification. We will continue to update as circumstances develop,” police said on Facebook Friday.

The remains were found near where Zuzu Verk went missing last fall. The 22-year-old grew up in Keller, but attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine. She was reported missing after she missed a mid-term.

Family members said Verk went out with her boyfriend the night before she disappeared. Police said her boyfriend, Robert Fabian, is an official suspect in the case.

“The fact that we have no other missing person's cases that does make it a high probability that it could be her, but that's not for certain,” said Lt. Felipe Fierro, Alpine Police Department.

The remains will be sent to the University of North Texas to be identified and Alpine police hope to have the results returned by next week.