Texas Senator John Cornyn authored a bill that was passed by the Senate, the House, and signed into law by President Trump in late December 2025, that was included in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

The bill, as you can see and read in this news video report and print article from KSAT -TV of San Antonio, Texas, lays the groundwork for the disinterment of convicted offender Fernando Cota from the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery of Texas.  According to this item from Sen. John Cornyn’s office, Cota was convicted of a sex offense in 1975 and released from prison in 1983.

According to the same release from Sen. Cornyn, Cota died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound one year later and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  Posthumously, evidence was discovered that pointed to Cota as the potential perpetrator of other crimes.  Under laws in effect today, Cota would not have been eligible for burial at a National Cemetery.

Again according to Sen. Cornyn’s office, Sen. Cornyn made these comments about the bill becoming part of the law, “Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a sacred resting place for more than 170,000 respected veterans and their loved ones, and it would be a slap in the face to each one of them to allow Fernando Cota, a convicted rapist and alleged serial murderer, to remain buried amongst such heroes.  This law rightfully directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter Cota’s remains from Fort Sam Houston to be in-keeping with current law and deliver justice for victims’ families.”

Finally, according to information from KSAT-TV,  “The legislative effort to remove Cota’s remains began when the son of Teresa Sunder, one of Cota’s alleged victims, initiated a petition urging Congress to take action.  The Department of Veterans Affairs has not yet announced a timeline for the disinterment process, but Cornyn’s office told KSAT it wouldn’t take longer than a year.”

Related — Here are the eligibility requirements for burial in a National Cemetery according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Mount Moriah Cemetery seeks donations to beef up security after grave-robbing spree.  PhillyVoice.com (PA)
• “It’s like they’re dying a second time”:  Coroner reacts to cemetery burglaries.  Video news story and print article.  WFMZ – TV News, Allentown (PA)
• “The Cemetery Guy”working to preserve Iowans’ history.  Video news story and print article.  WHO Channel 13 – TV, Des Moines (IA)
• A Macon family bought graves beside a loved one – but say two strangers were buried there instead.  WMAZ Channel 13 – TV, Macon (GA)

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