On March 10, 2017, 27-year-old Alex Esquivel of Fresno and 24-year-old Javier Lizaola were found shot to death near a bike trail at Railroad Avenue and 11th Street in Orange Cove. Two children walking home from a nearby store discovered the bodies around 8 p.m. The double killing shocked the small community; friends and family set up a candle memorial at the scene.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation. Initially there was no known motive and no suspect information released. In April 2017, 25-year-old Orange Cove resident Jairo Mancilla was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on two counts of murder and a probation violation after search warrants were executed at multiple locations in Orange Cove. Authorities offered a reward and asked anyone with information to come forward.

If anyone knew Alex or saw activity near Railroad Avenue and 11th Street on or around March 10, 2017, please share what you know with investigators.