HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK)– A ruthless exploration 28 years back has a Houston household still looking for solutions complying with the fatality of a cherished Sharpstown Intermediate school pupil.
On June 7, 1997, a security personnel uncovered the body of 14-year-old Erica Garcia inside the deserted Alief General Medical facility. Authorities stated the girl had actually been defeated, raped, suffocated, and left in her undergarments.
Ever since, no apprehensions have actually been made.
” I obtained ta figure out that did it. I require to recognize,” her mom, Margarita Garcia, wept while consulting with ABC13.
Erica was the earliest of the youngsters, and her mom stated she had actually just recently been picked to be on the college’s cheerleading group.
” She was anticipating that, however she really did not make it,” Margarita stated.
On the night of June 6, 1997, Erica’s auntie, Brenda Chavez, went down Erica and a close friend off at a regional teenager club.
” I stated, ‘Beware.’ (Erica) informed me ‘Thanks, tia, for bringing me. We’ll be secure,'” Chavez stated. Those were latest things she learnt through her niece.
Detectives think that in the hours leading up to her fatality, Erica and her close friend left the teenager club and met a bigger team of pals at a close-by apartment or condo.
At some point, the teenagers mosted likely to a bar on Bellaire Blvd near the healthcare facility.
” Generally, everyone’s tale, it’s either ‘She strolled home,’ or ‘She simply left,’ which, I recognize it’s a lie. I recognize it’s a lie. A person in the group that she was with recognizes something. I recognize they do,” Garcia stated.
In the years that have actually passed, Garcia has actually seen the instance expand a lot more complex. A number of the structures entailed have actually been taken apart or repurposed. A few of Erica’s pals defaulted. Scientific innovations have actually not been related to the DNA recouped in her little girl’s instance, she stated.
” It’s exacerbating and I have a great deal of rage,” stated Garcia. She included, “The sphere was gone down a very long time back.”
On Monday, at Margarita’s instructions, the Houston Authorities Division and Criminal activity Stoppers will certainly hold an interview on the instance.
Garcia hopes the general public outreach returns brand-new leads.
” I’m not gon na surrender. I do not care what it takes,” she stated.
Those with info are prompted to get in touch with Criminal activity Stoppers or the Houston Authorities Division.
For even more updates on this tale, adhere to Shannon Ryan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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