On April 10, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Murphy, Texas, resulting in the deaths of Federico Cantu Jr., age 63, his wife Tracy Kay Cantu, 57, and their son Vincent Cantu, 35. The event unfolded at the Cantu family home on Whisperfield Drive in the Rolling Ridge neighborhood.
Murphy Police responded to reports of a shooting at the residence shortly after 6 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Tracy Kay Cantu deceased in the driveway with multiple gunshot wounds.
Inside the house, they found Federico Cantu Jr., also deceased from gunshot wounds. Vincent Cantu was located in the backyard with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was immediately transported to Medical City Plano, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Initial investigations revealed that Vincent Cantu, who did not reside at the family home, arrived at the property around 6 p.m. accompanied by another individual. Vincent then attacked his father and stepmother using several weapons. After the assault on his parents, it is believed that Vincent turned one of the weapons on himself in an apparent suicide attempt.
As the investigation progressed, authorities identified and arrested 28-year-old Cristian Andres Bocanegra in connection with the murders. Bocanegra was charged with capital murder and booked into Collin County jail on May 5, 2023, nearly a month after the incident.
Police stated that Bocanegra was the individual who arrived at the scene with Vincent Cantu. While initially cooperating with the investigation, Bocanegra was ultimately charged for his alleged role in the attack. The exact nature of his involvement and the motive behind the violence have not been made public.
The case involved a collaborative effort among multiple law enforcement agencies. The Wylie, Garland, Mesquite, and Dallas Police Departments assisted the Murphy Police Department with the investigation. Additionally, the Collin County District Attorney's Office provided legal direction throughout the process.
This tragic event shocked the local community, with authorities emphasizing that it was not a random act of violence. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Federico Cantu Jr., Tracy Kay Cantu, and Vincent Cantu remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to gather evidence and piece together the events that led to this family tragedy.
