Ernesto El Gallito Gonzales, a 63-year-old Hispanic male, was a well-respected attorney and philanthropist in the Harlingen, Texas area. Known for his passionate advocacy for his clients and his dedication to various charitable causes, Gonzales was affectionately nicknamed "El Gallito" due to his tenacity. On July 18, 2017, Gonzales went missing after setting up a meeting with his sister at his workplace. When he didn't arrive, his sister contacted authorities, prompting a welfare concern.
Before his disappearance, Gonzales had filed a protective order against several family members, fearing for his life. His family quickly suspected foul play, and his twin brother Rick Gonzales stated unequivocally that his brother was deceased, not missing. Nearly three years later, on July 23, 2020, police discovered human remains on a two-acre private property in La Feria, Texas, during a search warrant execution. The remains were identified as Gonzales' through dental records.
The primary suspect in Gonzales' murder was identified as Salomon Campos Jr., Gonzales' nephew. Campos was charged with aggravated kidnapping, murder, and stalking, and was given a $1 million bond for the murder charge and a $110,000 bond for the other charges. The property where the remains were found belonged to Campos, and the case has been ongoing since his arrest. Investigators have yet to determine the exact method of Gonzales' murder, and the trial for Campos has faced multiple delays, including postponements due to the pandemic.
In a recent development, the trial concluded with a not-guilty verdict for Campos. Gonzales' son, E.J. Gonzales, expressed disappointment with the jury's decision, feeling that justice was not served. Despite the verdict, the case has brought significant attention to the family's complicated dynamics and the challenges faced during the investigation.
Ernesto Gonzales' legacy as a dedicated attorney and philanthropist continues to be remembered by those who knew him and benefited from his work in the community.
