Garrett Jonah Contreras, a 5-year-old boy tragically died on July 15, 2016, in Tahoka, Texas. He was found shot in a truck alongside his father, Jeremy John Contreras, 36, and his sister, Avery Hanna Contreras, 23 months old. The bodies were discovered in a 2004 Ford F-250 crew cab truck on County Road Q, north of Tahoka. Jeremy Contreras was found in the driver's seat, Garrett in the front passenger seat, and Avery in the rear passenger seat.
A Smith and Wesson pistol was found in Jeremy's lap.
The incident was initially investigated as a murder-suicide. Jeremy Contreras was sharing custody of the children with their mother, Cybil Buxkemper Contreras. The mother became concerned when the children were not dropped off on time and reported them missing. The bodies were found later that night.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers were involved in the investigation. Crime and lab reports were pending, and the investigation was ongoing. No arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved.
The tragic deaths of Garrett and Avery Contreras have deeply affected their family, friends, and the community. The mother of the children expressed her grief and requested donations to the Ronald McDonald House in their memory. The investigation into their deaths continues, with the hope of bringing justice and closure to their family.
