In the spring of 1994, the life of a young Hispanic/Latino man, Leonel Gonzales, was tragically cut short in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On May 15, 1994, the body of the 29-year-old was discovered in an irrigation ditch near the intersection of Pajarito Road and Coors Road SW. An investigation into his death determined that he had died from a small caliber gunshot wound to the head.
Prior to the discovery of his body, Gonzales had been at a small party on Pajarito Road, which is believed to
be the last place he was seen alive. When authorities found him, his white 1978 Ford F-100 truck was missing from the scene.
Despite the passage of time, the case of Leonel Gonzales's death remains unresolved. Investigators have not publicly identified any suspects in connection with the homicide. No arrests have ever been made in the case, which is now considered a cold case by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. The circumstances surrounding his final hours and the motive for his killing are still unknown.
