Cristal A Avilez

Cristal A. Avilez was a beloved wife, mother of two young children, and aunt who was cherished by her family. The 30-year-old Hispanic woman’s life was tragically cut short in Indianapolis, Indiana, leaving her loved ones in a state of profound grief and financial hardship. Her family remembered her as a central part of their lives, and her sudden death created a void that was deeply felt by all who knew her.

In the early morning hours of Friday, November 20, 2015, a dark-colored GMC Yukon was seen parked on a quiet street near Washington Park on the city's northeast side. Neighbors later told police they noticed the SUV sitting on the 3000 block of North LaSalle Street, near East 31st Street, around 1:45 a.m. with its headlights still on. The vehicle remained there for hours, an unusual sight on what residents described as a peaceful block. It wasn't until around 9:15 a.m. that a concerned neighbor, seeing someone slumped over in the driver's seat, called 911.

Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) arrived and made a grim discovery. Inside the Yukon, they found Cristal Avilez, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An IMPD officer noted that the neighbors had been very helpful, though no one reported hearing any gunshots or sounds of an altercation during the night. The Marion County Coroner's Office formally identified Cristal, and her death was immediately investigated as a homicide.

The investigation by IMPD homicide detectives moved quickly. Within two months, they had identified a person of interest in connection with Cristal’s murder. In January 2016, an arrest warrant was officially issued for a man named Juan Zabala, charging him with murder. Police released a description of Zabala, identifying him as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. In the months that followed, the IMPD made public appeals for assistance in locating him, urging him to surrender peacefully to authorities.

In the wake of her death, Cristal’s family was left not only with the emotional devastation of their loss but also with the overwhelming financial burden of arranging a funeral. Her niece, Daisy Rios, organized a GoFundMe campaign titled "Pray For Cristal Avilez" to ask for community support. She described Cristal as her godmother and aunt, highlighting the deep pain her husband and two "wonderful little kids" were experiencing. The fundraiser sought to cover funeral costs and other expenses, underscoring the family's difficult position.

Cristal's murder was one of several homicides to strike that area of Indianapolis in the latter half of 2015, contributing to a sense of unease in the community. As of April 2016, Juan Zabala remained at large, and the warrant for his arrest was still active. Law enforcement continued to seek information from the public regarding his whereabouts.

The case remains a painful memory for a family that lost a wife, mother, and aunt so violently. The investigation is ongoing, pending the apprehension of the suspect charged with her murder. Anyone with information about the case or the location of Juan Zabala is urged to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477).