Executive Summary
- Texas DPS and Houston Police are reopening the 1980 double murder case of Estella and Andrew Salinas.
- The victims were found strangled on Christmas Day 1980 after disappearing during a trip to visit family.
- Authorities are offering a $6,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
- Investigators hope modern DNA technology will provide new leads in the 45-year-old cold case.
HOUSTON — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in collaboration with the Houston Police Department, has issued a renewed public appeal for information regarding the unsolved double murder of a mother and her teenage son, a case that has remained cold for more than four decades. Authorities are offering a $6,000 reward for credible tips leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the deaths of 31-year-old Estella Salinas and her 14-year-old son, Andrew, who were killed in December 1980.
According to investigative records, Estella and Andrew Salinas were last seen alive in December 1980 as they traveled across Houston to visit relatives for the Christmas holiday. Witnesses at the time reported seeing the pair departing a McDonald’s restaurant in Estella’s blue 1972 Mercury Cougar. Police reports state that the vehicle was subsequently discovered abandoned near a freeway, with the victims’ keys and personal belongings undisturbed inside.
On Christmas Day 1980, the bodies of both victims were discovered near the 4500 block of Creekmont Drive. Forensic examinations determined that both the mother and son had been strangled to death by an unknown assailant. Despite witness statements provided to law enforcement over the ensuing years, no arrests have been made in connection with the homicides.
Investigators indicate that the reopening of the case is driven by advancements in forensic technology, specifically DNA analysis, which may provide new avenues for identifying a suspect. The Texas Rangers are urging anyone with information about this capital murder case or other unsolved crimes to contact Texas Crime Stoppers. The focus remains on leveraging community intelligence to resolve the 45-year-old investigation.
Investigative Outlook
The decision to revisit the Salinas case highlights a broader strategic shift within law enforcement to utilize modern forensic capabilities on dormant files. By re-examining physical evidence with contemporary DNA profiling techniques, authorities aim to generate leads that were scientifically impossible to obtain in 1980. This renewed effort underscores the persistent nature of homicide investigations, emphasizing that cold cases remain active operational priorities for the Texas Department of Public Safety regardless of the elapsed time.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
