Richard Madrigal, a 33-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on June 11, 2016, in El Paso, Texas. Known as Rick "Mardi Gras" during his time as a DJ at KLAQ rock radio, Madrigal was a beloved figure in the community. At the time of his death, he was excelling in his role as a sales manager at Destination El Paso, the city's tourism office, and was scheduled to graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso later that year.
His degree was presented posthumously to his family.
The investigation into Madrigal's death revealed that he was fatally shot at his home in the Terrace Hill Apartments on Westcity Court in West El Paso. The motive for the shooting was believed to be jealousy over a woman. Leonel Hernandez, a 31-year-old male, was identified as the primary suspect. Hernandez was taken into custody and later admitted to shooting Madrigal. He was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Marinda Palacios, a 33-year-old woman, had witnessed the murder but did not report it to the police. Palacios was arrested and charged with failure to report a felony. She testified in Hernandez's trial in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the charge against her and expunging her criminal record. The trial, held in the 168th District Court, saw emotional testimonies from Madrigal's family and friends, who remembered him as a loving father and a dedicated professional.
Madrigal's former fiancée, Joanne Rodriguez, and their young daughter were deeply affected by his death. Rodriguez testified about the pain of losing Madrigal and the impact it had on their daughter, who was seven years old at the time. Despite the tragic circumstances, Madrigal's legacy lives on through his family and the community he served with passion and enthusiasm.
