Manuel Cruz, 24, of Brownsville, Texas, was found dead on December 29, 2021, alongside his father, Ines Cruz, 49, on Old Port Isabel Road in Brownsville. Both men had gunshot wounds to the head, were bound with rope, had tape over their mouths and black T-shirts placed over their heads. Authorities said the condition of the bodies suggested an execution-style killing and that the victims were likely killed elsewhere and dumped at that location.

The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office investigation produced an indictment charging three men: Lawrence James Strong, 36, Cesar Olvera, 22, and Roman Torres, 38. Strong was indicted on one count of capital murder, two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping; Olvera on two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon; Torres on two counts of direct activities of a street gang. Strong and Olvera were arrested (Strong in Wisconsin and extradited to Texas; Olvera in Cameron County) and face additional charges of aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence; Torres was also arrested and charged with leading a criminal street gang.

Investigators said the victims were likely targeted because of an association with a criminal organization and that the killings appeared planned and organized. Does anyone have information about Manuel or Ines Cruz, or about activity in that area around late December 2021?