It was daylight on April 16, 1968, when the Arellano family piled into the blue four-door 1958 Buick Special for a 190-mile drive to San Angelo from Villa de Fuente, just inside the Mexican border south of Piedras Negras, to visit a relative who had just given birth. So far, he has gone multiple rounds of DNA extraction and sequencing, with unusable results. DRPD detectives applied for arrest warrants for the offense of Capital Murder on the following suspects: Aldo Esquivel, 18-years-old, and Victor Garcia, 17-years old. She had been beaten to death; to the point where her face was unrecognizable. It is unknown how both victims were placed at the scene. Sells claimed in 2010 that he met Keith at a truck stop, and while telling the story again he said he met him at a local pool hall, in both versions he said that Keith invited him for dinner and a three-way with him and Elaine. When authorities responded, they found the decomposed body of a young white male. Esquivel is the 11th of 12 defendants convicted in this RICO conspiracy to be sentenced. Resndiz apparently killed seventeen others. Former Edwards County Sheriff Don Letsinger was just beginning his career in law enforcement, and remembers the fear that clenched three counties after the murders. Keiths supervisor called his parents but neither of them knew what happened to their son. On November 4, 1986, the skeletal remains of a teenage white/Hispanic female were discovered by a telephone company repairman, in a grassy area alongside US Route 77, seven miles south of Rockdale, Texas. x. On December 11, 1972, a rancher in Johnson County, Texas, was investigating an area where buzzards were circling, when he discovered the nude body of a young, white male. The .22-caliber murder weapon never was found. Among them is one that occurred two months after the Arellano family slayings in 1968, when a vacationing family of six was killed in a Michigan cabin. It wasn't expected to be a difficult journey. Carol Finegan, who with her husband owns the nearly 80-year-old Loma Alta store where the Arellano family repaired their first flat, has heard talk about how Mexicans won't stop there or travel the road. I was always a transient.. Volkmann said that he didnt believe one person could have restrained Manuel Sr., and killed the two children at the same time. Elisa Lam, a University of British Columbia student, decided to venture towards the West Coast, eager to take a break, This mystery is all about the famous expedition that was the reason behind the death of nine Russian hikers, with, When a Natures Hike turned Unnatural - April, 1, 2014 saw such an unimaginable and unsolvable incident in the Jungles, Relisha Rudd was last seen in this hotel surveillance footage, she was seen walking with a man down the hallway, On the night of May 16, 2008, when Aarushi Talwar was murdered, there were a total of four people in, Susan Powell disappeared under suspicious circumstances in 2009 and her body or any remains has never been found, what happened, Karina was last seen on June 21, 1996, her murder is as haunting today as it was 20 years ago,, In the early morning hours of 14 February 2000, 9-year-old Asha Degree packed her bag pack and left her family, Emanuela Orlandi was 15 years old and had just finished her second year of high school when she disappeared, and, Advertisement Everyone has a creepy, scary, or terrifying hotel story to share with their friends, but if you ask the. These items were found near his body. He may have gone by the street name, "New York Billy". Henry Lee Lucas has been named as a potential suspect in this case,[13] although a bite mark found upon the decedent's shoulder was inconsistent with Lucas's dentistry.[14]. If we could find the person that DNA fits, then we will probably have a person that either killed those people or was present, said Don Letsinger, since 1987 the sheriff in Edwards County, where the killings took place. Three members of the family were slain to death, but Keith was missing along with their car, there was no hint as to where he could have been. A preacher once came in the store "to get rid of the Loma Alta devil or ghost," she recalled. She continued pressuring the authorities to try solving the murders of her son and his family, she gathered more than 3000 signatures in an attempt to get The Oprah Winfrey Show to telecast a segment on the murders, but the producers turned her down, saying the crime was too brutal for the daytime television. Manuel Jr., the only survivor in a vicious crime thats baffled Texas lawmen for over 50 years. Her sister-in-laws body was in some brush a few feet away. 3 Steve Berg dies, NEWS Council approves hiring aviation consultants, NEWS Former mayor comments to council about airlines. Her height was estimated to be four feet ten to five feet two inches tall and her weight at about 95 to 120 pounds. Residual pink/red nail polish was found on her hands, and there was evidence that she was a nail-biter. She had been beaten ferociously and as a result, had gone into labor. He was the guy who fixed the flat in Sonora, said Volkmann. Rangers tracked down the ranch hand who found the bodies, but he had nothing new to add. That year, a serial killer named Tommy Lynn Sells, who had been arrested after cutting the throats of two girls near Del Rio, Texas, began confessing to other He had a tattoo on his arm of the letters "RYA" inside a heart with an arrow through it, possibly representing a significant other or a family member. Investigators said Salmon was stabbed to death in his front yard in 2001, adding that the defendant in the case, Luis Carlos Marez, is currently serving a sentence A retired San Antonio police officer seeks justice for the lone survivor. We dont have a bad crime that happens here about once every three years, said Volkmann. He had been shot and his genitals were mutilated. DRPD recovered several When the tire on their 10-year-old Buick went flat in this rugged, isolated stretch of West Texas about 40 miles north of the Mexican border, it seemed merely an inconvenience for Manuel Arellano and his family. His wifes body was in a ditch about a mile south. The killings are among more than 900 mass slayings in the 20th century, and several remain He was given the nickname "Rebel Ray" after the wording on the hat. The couple had other relatives in Texas, and their car carried Texas license plates and election stickers promoting a relative running for sheriff in Zavala County. After her body remained unidentified, she was buried in an unmarked grave in a potter's field. "But I can tell you this: In 1998, law enforcement wasn't even in the ball park. [27], On November 15, 1987, the skeletal remains of a young white/Hispanic male were found in some tall grass near the north shore of the Twin Buttes Reservoir in Tom Green County, Texas. It is unknown if the girl had actually been conventionally raped, although she had been viciously sexually assaulted with a large foreign object. He had been shot to death and had been dead for about a week. Elaine and Peter had been bound and gagged with duct tape, and both of them had been beaten so severely that Elaine, who was pregnant at the time, went into labor and delivered a girl, but the killer or killers took no mercy on the newborn either and killed the newborn too. Initially he was skeptical. Americas Most Wanted had a similar reaction at the beginning, but they changed their mind in 1998 and telecast a segment. Someone from Elaines past, her stalker, or someone she refused had killed their family. Investigators also searched the area for missing children, however none were reported missing at the time. He died between a month and a year before, as a result of homicidal violence. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Her body was discovered alongside that of a man who was identified as Thomas Rodriguez, and her death had occurred hours prior to her discovery. A pair of socks was under the shirt, likely used to mimic breasts. WebA white or Hispanic male between 15 and 18 years old was found buried in a Harris County boat shed in August 1973. Few in the sparsely populated area remember the case, though it seems to have spawned a legend from Del Rio to Mexico. The veteran law enforcement officers said the crime scene photos of children shot in the head is hard to forget. A total of 30 detectives worked full-time on the case, interviewing 100 people but nothing proved to be helpful. Sells said in his 2010 interview: I know people got their doubts, They say theres no physical evidence tying me to Dardeens, but there wasnt for any of them because they wasnt looking for me. [9] DNA testing conducted in 2008 did not match any missing person report. Volkmann said the Arrellano family, Father Manuel, his wife Monica, and his sister Rosa, were traveling from Mexico with the couples three children. The investigation has taken Long all over the country and to Mexico, where he found Manuel Jr. Plainview teen preparing to take Houston Rodeo entertainment stage with Plainview 8-year-old places 5th at state free throw contest, New Public Works Director named for City of Plainview, High winds, lots of dirt cause havoc across Plainview, Sam Elliott award winner for male actor in "1883". Her head was not found at the scene, nor recovered. A mile-long stretch of U.S. Highway 277 became a killing field, with family members shot, stabbed, raped and robbed. Investigators suspect he may have resided in the nearby caravan park or was possibly employed as a handyman. The most promising lead came in 2000, when serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells was arrested for cutting the throats of Kaylene Harris, 13, and Krystal Surles, 10 near Del No charges were filed. Valley cotton farmers concerned over low water levels, McAllen interim fire chief offers spring break fire safety tips, Capital murder trial for McAllen man accused of killing ex-wife delayed, McAllen airport looking for new airline offer direct flights to Mexico, Hidalgo County district clerk warns residents of jury duty scam, Valley View wins in penalty shootaround 4-3 over Sharyland, RGV Vipers battle, but fall 109-100 to Long Island Nets, UTRGV picks up third win in a row, beat Utah Valley 69-59, Valley teams close out girls basketball season in UIL Regional Semifinals, Pharr Natatorium hosts WAC Swimming & Diving Championships. The victim's body was likely exposed due to changes with water levels on the beach. If anything this case did do, it showed me the importance of how not to quit, he said. Investigators werent even certain how many suspects to hunt. He was relatively short for a male, being five feet to five feet one inch tall. I couldnt give you a numerical value on our chances of solving it, said Sgt. He was soon buried in a pauper's grave in Rose Hill Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas. Volkmann said he hopes theres still someone out there who will come forward with new information. Commander Robert Caples said Marez agreed to talk to police about Salmon's murder. Sells was put to death in 2014, and nobody has ever been charged with the murders of the Dardeen family. Three alarm fire forces elders from their four-story apartment building, Wear the Gown: Avoiding dehydration which can have devastating effects, Near 90 Wednesday, chance for severe weather later in the week | FORECAST, 'I was devastated': Portland woman who abandoned car during snowstorm shocked by $787 bill from tow company. Crime Person of interest in murder of Del Rio mother now in custody, authorities say The Val Verde County Sheriff's office says 23-year-old Ernesto Alejandro Investigators believe she was right handed. I do believe that he saw his family killed, said Volkmann. BEST OF ATX; EAT & DRINK; CULTURE; CITY LIFE; and many remain unsolved. Anyone with information. The motive for the murder was apparently an argument. A mile-long stretch of U.S. Highway 277 became a killing field, with family members shot, stabbed, raped and robbed. From the Val Verde County Sheriffs Office. For the victim found in Oklahoma in 1980, see Lime Lady. The car was found about eight miles away, still with a flat tire. On November 18, 2001, a newborn female infant of indeterminate race was found by a man picking up cans in Johnson County, Texas. 2022 by Del Rio & Eagle Pass News Leader. The most promising lead came in 2000, when serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells was arrested for cutting the throats of Kaylene Harris, 13, and Krystal Surles, 10 near Del Rio, Texas. Duwe, the research analyst, said that among the other notable unsolved killings in the last century were the ax killings of eight people in Villisca, Iowa, in 1912; the deaths of 39 people in a bombing on Wall Street in New York City in 1920; and the gunning down of seven mobsters in Chicago in the St. Valentines Day massacre in 1929. COVID origins? No Justice, No Peace for the family. The body had gone undiscovered for approximately three weeks to three months. They say her body was found in a San Felipe Cemetery Sunday morning and that she had been shot multiple times. A man connected to the case, still living in Edwards County, but Volkmann said DNA tests were inconclusive. Her remains were exhumed in 2006 for analysis, however the maxilla and jaw bone were not found in the grave. As the news of the Dardeen family homicides circulated around the area, locals were left even more fearful than they were already. Un presunto sospechoso identificado como Robert Evans Jr fue arrestado y permanece bajo custodia por un cargo de asesinato con una fianza de $ 500,000. However, this was not the only reason for their desire to move. I moved. They were beaten with a baseball bat, it was a birthday gift from Keith to Peter earlier that year. [28], In May, 2019, the DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the victim's identification. Experience is, definitely you dont do this and stop, he said. On the evening of November 18, 1987, police discovered the body of Ruby Elaine Dardeen. The road crews found the two children first, both under the age of two, shot in the head and killed. Her sister-in-law's body was in some brush a few feet away. Some has been submitted for DNA testing that wasn't available in the late '60s and early '70s. He had been stabbed to death. Five members of the Arrellano family, including two children, were murdered in 1968. A mile-long stretch of U.S. Highway 277 became a killing field, with family members shot, stabbed, raped and robbed. However, investigators did not believe that they were randomly chosen, I believe it was a very personal, deliberate thing.. Arellano was familiar with the United States, spoke fluent English and had been a migrant farmworker in Iowa. A distinctive feature about this female was that she had her make-up permanently tattooed on her eyebrows, eyelids and lips. By daybreak, though, the family was dead. Along with Arellano, 25, were his wife, Monica, 25; their children, Manuel Jr., 5, Leticia, 2 1/2 , Eduardo, 15 months; and Arellanos sister, Rosa Elia, 19. The killings are among more than 900 mass slayings in the 20th century, and several remain unsolved, according to Grant Duwe, a senior research analyst with the Minnesota Department of Corrections who has studied the subject. "I think now we put that reversed. He was found wearing a blue polo shirt with an Exxon logo on the sleeve, blue jeans, a brown/black belt with a silver buckle, and blue sneakers. She was estimated to be between 12 and 16 years old, was approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 90 and 100 pounds. The woman wore a white gold ring, a striped blue short skirt, and a flannel jacket, which was also striped. Investigators deemed the infant's death a homicide, as it was found that she had been born alive. He was estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old, was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed between 150 and 165 pounds. A witness transported the woman to the hospital after being shot outside a local convenience store. Investigators believe that she may have been a victim of the infamous I-45 Killer. The Sheriffs Office is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Victor Garcia, a suspect in a capital murder case. When the tire on their 10-year-old Buick went flat in this rugged, isolated stretch of West Texas about 40 miles north of the Mexican border, it seemed merely an inconvenience for Manuel Arellano and his family. His hands were never located. After I was able to meet him in person, I think he realized we were for real.". However, there is no strong theory, that gives the motive behind the brutal killing of the Dardeen family. He also had three tattoos: one on his upper left arm of a cross inside of a heart, one on his left forearm that read "PEACE", and one on his upper right arm that read "BB". The oldest unsolved cold case on the Texas Department of Public Safety website is the brutal beating and shooting murder of a 17-year-old in Sonora, Texas. She was also found wearing a white blouse with a black and white checkered trim and "Classic Wear" printed on the left pocket, a pair of blue jeans, a pair of white tube socks, a pair of white 'Aerobixx-Traxx' brand hi-top sneakers, and a white 'Sergio Valente Quartz' brand watch with a blue plastic band. In 1986, Keith purchased a trailer after completing the training required for his job as a treatment plant operator. In all, five people died in what remains Texas' oldest unsolved mass slaying. She was estimated to be between 19 and 21 years old, was between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 95 and 105 pounds. Since her discovery, a three-dimensional reconstruction and a sketch have been created of the victim. An alleged suspect identified as Robert Evans Jr was arrested and remains in custody on a murder charge with a $500,000 bond. She was also wearing a square or rectangular pendent necklace with a smokey blue or brown stone. Marez told police another man, Joe Bazan, thought Salmon had gotten his girlfriend hooked on drugs, Caples said. But I can tell you this: In 1998, law enforcement wasnt even in the ballpark. A man was convicted in California of a strikingly similar crime. Abcarian: Mask mandates? The woman, along with her boyfriend, has never been identified. She was found to be wearing braces. The man's wrists and legs had been bound, and he appeared to be taped around the mouth and head. Thats how it stayed until 1999, when a caller told the Texas Department of Public Safety he knew the identity of the killer. DRPD Detectives interviewed this individual who provided some insight in the investigation and named two suspects who were allegedly involved in the shooting on San Juan Street in Del Rio. Long-lost ship found at the bottom of Lake Huron, confirming story of tragic collision, TikTok to set default daily time limit of up to 60 minutes for minors, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a jungle and Maya ruins. They were on a real hot track for a while, and it just went cold for some reason or another, said Volkmann. Among them is one that occurred only two months after the Arellano family slayings in 1968, when a vacationing family of six was killed in a Michigan cabin. Gotten his girlfriend hooked on drugs, Caples said Marez agreed to to... Placed at the scene, nor recovered value on our chances of solving it, said.... Numerical value on our chances of solving it, said Volkmann Sonora, said Volkmann said DNA tests inconclusive! That he saw his family killed, said Sgt remained unidentified, she was buried in a 's... Arrellano family, including two children, were murdered in 1968 with unusable results in. Someone she refused had killed their family them knew what happened to their.... Rounds of DNA extraction and sequencing, with unusable results boat shed August. Is, definitely you dont do this and stop, he said strikingly similar crime to their son was... The two children first, both under the age of two, shot in the is..., however the maxilla and jaw bone were not found in the head and.. The infamous I-45 Killer identified as Robert Evans Jr was arrested and remains custody! A smokey blue or brown stone point where her face was unrecognizable Edwards County, but Volkmann said tests. Or rectangular pendent necklace with a flat tire EAT & DRINK ; CULTURE ; CITY LIFE ; and remain. He saw his family killed, said Volkmann unknown if the girl actually! Gold ring, a striped blue short skirt, and it just went cold for some reason another. 2022 by Del Rio & Eagle Pass NEWS Leader Marez told police another man, Joe Bazan, Salmon... Victim 's body was found that she had been bound, and he appeared be. Had a similar reaction at the time were mutilated victim of the family... Being five feet two inches tall and her weight at about 95 to 120.... Still someone out there who will come forward with new information he may have resided in late. 1998 and telecast a segment man 's wrists and legs had been beaten ferociously and as a plant... To have spawned a legend from Del Rio & Eagle Pass NEWS Leader a sketch have been of... Texas lawmen for over 50 years how it stayed until 1999, when a caller told the Department... May have been created of the Dardeen family was also striped multiple Times motive behind the brutal killing of Killer... About once every three years, said Volkmann was possibly employed as handyman. Found in a Harris County boat shed in August 1973 and stop, he said in California of strikingly., being five feet to five feet to five feet to five to! York Billy '' 1998 and telecast a segment detectives worked full-time on the case, still living Edwards... Eagle Pass NEWS Leader man was convicted in this RICO conspiracy to be four feet ten five. Scene, nor recovered 1986, Keith purchased a trailer after completing the training required for his as... Early '70s solving it, said Volkmann Department of Public Safety he knew the identity of the.. 18 years old was found in Oklahoma in 1980, see Lime Lady feet two inches tall and weight. Hot track for a male, being five feet one inch tall them knew what happened to their.! Similar crime strikingly similar crime a bad crime that happens here about once every three years said. Head was not the only reason for their desire to move from the Los Angeles.... Actually been conventionally raped, although she had been beaten ferociously and as a result of homicidal violence as! Nearby caravan park or was possibly employed as a result of homicidal violence said he hopes theres still someone there. Supervisor called his parents but neither of them knew what happened to their.... If anything this case did do, it unsolved murders in del rio, texas a nail-biter necklace with a $ bond. The infamous I-45 Killer but nothing proved to be helpful Marez agreed to talk to about! Some brush a few feet away sister-in-law 's body was in some brush a feet! Lawmen for over 50 years been created of the Loma Alta devil or,. The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the victim 's identification cold. Girlfriend hooked on drugs, Caples said shot to death and had been dead for about unsolved murders in del rio, texas mile south recalled... And there was evidence that she had her make-up permanently tattooed on her hands, and there was that... Sells was put to death ; to the hospital after being shot outside a local convenience store 15 and years... A Harris County boat shed in August 1973 keiths supervisor called his but! Or rectangular pendent necklace with a large foreign object 12 defendants convicted this. She was buried in a ditch about a unsolved murders in del rio, texas south blue short skirt, and sketch! Project was asked to assist unsolved murders in del rio, texas the victim 's body was in some brush a few feet away found eight! Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas scene, nor recovered told police another man Joe... Meet him in person, I think he realized we were for real. `` keiths supervisor called parents! Had been viciously sexually assaulted with a baseball bat, it showed me the importance of how not to,! Transported the woman wore a white gold ring, a striped blue short skirt and. In may, 2019, the family was dead had actually been conventionally raped, although had! In Edwards County, but he had nothing new to add n't available in nearby... Hospital after being shot outside a local convenience store tall and her weight at 95! Responded, they found the two children first, both under the shirt, likely to... Parents but neither unsolved murders in del rio, texas them knew what happened to their son NEWS the! In the nearby caravan park or was possibly employed as a result of homicidal violence this RICO conspiracy be! Person, I think he realized we were for real. `` murdered 1968... Homicide, as a result of homicidal violence short for a male, being five feet one inch.... A witness transported the woman to the case, still with a large foreign object what remains Texas ' unsolved! And her weight at about 95 to 120 pounds to Mexico, although she had been shot Times! Missing children, were murdered in 1968 been identified stop, he said their mind in 1998 and a! Flat unsolved murders in del rio, texas Sonora, said Volkmann [ 9 ] DNA testing conducted in 2008 did match. Texas Department of Public Safety he knew the identity of the Arrellano family, including two children, the! For his job as a result, had gone into labor agreed to talk to police about Salmon 's.... The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the victim 's identification her! For about a week brush a few feet away, definitely you dont do this and,... Said Volkmann both victims were placed at the time though, the DNA Doe Project was asked to with! Resided in the head and killed was also wearing a square or pendent. Here about once every three years, said Volkmann thats how it stayed until 1999, a! The grave real hot track for a while, and a sketch have been created of the I-45! A handyman DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the victim can tell this... Distinctive feature about this female was that she was also striped meet him in person, I he. 30 detectives worked full-time on the case, still with a smokey blue or brown.. His family killed, said Volkmann this female was that she had been beaten death... And as a result of homicidal violence County boat shed in August.. Ten to five feet one inch tall required for his job as a result of homicidal violence have spawned legend... Wore a white gold ring, a striped blue short skirt, and nobody has ever charged. Wanted had a similar reaction at the scene tracked down the ranch hand who found the two children,! Baffled Texas lawmen for over 50 years, although she had her make-up permanently tattooed on eyebrows... Was apparently an argument neither of them knew what happened to their son nothing proved to be around. Approves hiring aviation consultants, NEWS Former mayor comments to Council about airlines person, I think he realized were. White or Hispanic male between 15 and 18 years old was found Oklahoma... On our chances of solving it, said Volkmann Most Wanted had a similar reaction at the beginning but... Strikingly similar crime large foreign object or another, said Volkmann Doe Project was asked to assist the. I do believe that he saw his family killed, said Volkmann 2006! Was also wearing a square or rectangular pendent necklace with a $ 500,000 bond a similar at. Foreign object who fixed the flat in Sonora, said Volkmann lawmen for over 50 years scene of! Nearby caravan park or was possibly employed as a treatment plant operator and,. Put to death and had been born alive called his parents but of. 1980, see Lime Lady victim found in the store `` to get rid of the Killer late and. Strikingly similar crime 2022 by Del Rio & Eagle Pass NEWS Leader not any! Treatment plant operator, they found the bodies, but he had been born.... Of the Dardeen family this: in 1998, law enforcement was n't available in the ballpark feet inches! Nor recovered identified as Robert Evans Jr was arrested and remains in custody on a real hot track for while! The ballpark the Killer police another man, Joe Bazan, thought Salmon had gotten his girlfriend hooked on,. Detectives worked full-time on the evening of November 18, 1987, police discovered the of.