Abel Patrick Tarin, 43, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was reported missing on December 3, 2023, after he failed to show up for work at Sam’s Club, which family and friends said was out of character. A witness later saw Tarin’s 2018 silver GMC Yukon with an unknown person at the passenger side but without Tarin present.

On December 13, 2023, Tarin’s body was found in a desert area near Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Investigators determined he was the victim of a fatal carjacking. Authorities say 20-year-old Brayden Matthew Alvarado lured Tarin into a meeting, used a pellet gun to threaten him, forced him to drive toward El Paso, and then fatally shot him with a shotgun at a secluded desert location before abandoning the body. Tarin’s vehicle was used for several days and was towed on December 6; fingerprints from the impounded vehicle matched Alvarado, who was arrested on December 22 in El Paso and transferred to U.S. Marshals custody on federal charges that include kidnapping resulting in death.

A vigil in Las Cruces was held to honor Tarin and the community has discussed cross-state crime and interagency cooperation. If anyone knew Abel, saw his vehicle, or has information about the events in early December 2023, please come forward.