Daniel A. Andrade was a 33-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was deeply loved by his family. Born on August 5, 1982, Daniel was a father to two sons, Elijah Griego Andrade and Daniel Cruz. He was survived by his wife, Crystal Amador, his parents, Jesus Andrade and Evanjelina V. Gomez, and his siblings, Laura Trujillo, Alicia Andrade, Jesus Andrade, Erika Andrade, and Pedro Andrade. His family remembered him as a beloved cousin and a vital part of their close-knit group.
The Thanksgiving holiday of 2015 turned from a time of celebration to one of profound tragedy for the Andrade family. On Thanksgiving night, while families across the country were gathered, Daniel was nowhere to be found. His absence was a source of worry that soon turned to devastating news. His family learned he had not simply missed the holiday meal; he had been violently taken from them. On Friday, November 27, 2015, Daniel was found deceased in Albuquerque.
His death was classified as a homicide.
In the wake of their shocking loss, Daniel's family was faced with the dual burdens of immense grief and the unexpected financial cost of a funeral. A cousin organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the expenses, writing, "As we now know Daniel was not absent because he did not care or love us; rather he was absent because he was taken from us by virtue of yet another horrific Albuquerque murder." The family expressed their hope that future Thanksgivings could be a time to remember how Daniel lived and loved, rather than the tragic way he died.
The investigation into Daniel Andrade's murder was handled by the Albuquerque Police Department. However, details regarding the circumstances of his death have remained scarce. Public information about where exactly Daniel was found, the cause of his death, or any potential suspects or motives has been limited since the case first opened. The lack of new leads has left the investigation stalled, and it is now considered a cold case.
Friends and family gathered to mourn Daniel in early December 2015. A viewing and rosary were held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Albuquerque on December 4, followed by a final viewing and a funeral mass the next day. He was laid to rest at San Jose de Armijo Cemetery in Albuquerque's South Valley.
Years later, the case of who killed Daniel Andrade remains unsolved, one of many cold case homicides in the city. There have been no arrests, and no suspects have been publicly named by law enforcement. The investigation is inactive pending new information. His family continues to wait for answers and for justice to be served for the man who was so violently stolen from their lives during a time meant for family and gratitude.
