Mali Garza, previously known as Amalia Baca Fuentes Apodaca, was discovered deceased in her El Paso, Texas home by her caregiver on April 17, 2018. Despite attempts by the El Paso Police Department and the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) to locate her next of kin, Mali remains unclaimed. She was recognized as a divorced woman who had once been married to a man named Charles Elijah Barnes and had a son, Justin Barnes, potentially born on April 27, 1989. Yet, both Charles and Justin have proved elusive to investigators, leaving no family to claim her remains.
Compounding the challenges of identifying relatives, Mali had gone through a legal name change from Amalia Baca Fuentes Apodaca to Mali Garza before her death. Her caregiver and a friend brought this fact to the OME’s attention, adding another layer of complexity to their search. This name change, although documented, has made tracing her history and connections considerably more complex for those seeking to offer her the dignity of a proper farewell.
The case remains with the El Paso County Medical Examiners Office, located at 4505 Alberta Avenue in El Paso, Texas. The agency has assigned the case number UCP56268 but has yet to close the matter due to the ongoing search for Mali's family. Those who might have information that could aid in identifying her loved ones are encouraged to reach out to the Medical Examiner’s office directly at 915-532-1447 or through their official website. The passage of time has yet to close the chapter on Mali Garza, a woman whose life and memory are in limbo pending the discovery of any family who might lay claim to her legacy.
Date Found: 04/17/2018
