Stakes have been raised substantially for a Missouri man in a case in which another man was killed over a jealousy-infused romantic dispute, according to law enforcement in the Show-Me State.

Cordero T. Cervantes, 35, now stands accused of murder in the second degree , according to charging documents filed Monday in Platte County Circuit Court.

On Oct. 28, 2022, the defendant was indicted by a grand jury on one count each of tampering with evidence, and tampering with a motor vehicle, as Law&Crime previously reported . The new and old charges are related to the June 2022 death of 31-year-old Taylor Hawkins.

At the time, however, another person was charged with the murder.

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