Waco, TX – The Waco Police Department is investigating its second homicide of 2026 after a man who was critically injured in an aggravated assault earlier this week died from his injuries.
According to police, 59-year-old Robert Navarro died on July 3 after being hospitalized with severe head injuries sustained during an assault that occurred in the early morning hours of June 30.
Officers were dispatched at approximately 2:20 a.m. on June 30 to the area of Clay Avenue and South 5th Street following reports of a man down. When officers arrived, they found Navarro lying on the sidewalk suffering from a serious head injury and bleeding. Authorities said no other individuals were at the scene when officers arrived.
Navarro was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he remained until his death. Police said his next of kin has been notified.
During the investigation, Major Crimes detectives reviewed video evidence that helped identify the suspect. Authorities arrested 36-year-old Jonathan Ready on June 30 and initially charged him with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury after investigators determined he had repeatedly beaten Navarro.
Following Navarro’s death, the investigation was reclassified as a homicide.
Police have not announced whether additional or upgraded charges will be filed against Ready. The case remains under investigation.
The Waco Police Department said this is the city’s second homicide investigation of 2026. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the assault as detectives continue to investigate.
