In the spring of 2016 Michigan City lost a respected local businessman when 65-year-old Hufracio Artega was found dead inside his business, Easy Drive Auto Sales. Artega, who had moved to the United States from Mexico, was discovered on April 23, 2016, by his business partner Sergio Serrano several days after Artega was reported missing. An autopsy found Artega had been stabbed nine times; a cut to his carotid artery caused him to bleed to death.

Investigators recovered surveillance footage showing a person in dark clothing leaving the dealership through a broken window and later driving away in one of two vehicles stolen from the lot. That man was identified as 45-year-old David Morris, who occasionally did odd jobs and errands for the dealership. Morris was arrested after reporting to the Michigan City courthouse; forensic testing linked blood on his clothing to Artega and blood spatter analysis placed him at the scene. Two inmates later said Morris had confessed while awaiting trial.

Morris was convicted of felony murder and related property offenses and received lengthy prison terms. Does anyone have information about Artega’s life in Michigan City or connections to Easy Drive Auto Sales that could shed light on what happened?