On January 17, 1979, the body of 48-year-old Mercedes Mendez, a Hispanic woman, was found in a wooded area near Mesquite, Texas. She had been beaten, sexually molested, and shot three times in the head. The assault and killing disturbed the local community and investigators initially struggled to identify a suspect.

In May 1980, 25-year-old Danny Lee Barber of Los Angeles was arrested for a flea market break-in. While jailed he confessed to multiple murders, including Mendez’s, describing his involvement in her assault and death. Barber’s confessions also named Mary Caperton (39), Raymond Curly, and Janice Ingram (50). In August 1980 he received a death sentence for Ingram’s murder and life terms for the other three, including Mendez.

Does anyone have memories of the Mesquite area in 1979 or information about Mercedes Mendez that could add context to her life or the investigation?