Brown County, TX — The Texas Department of Public Safety and Brown County Sheriff’s Office are renewing their call for information in the 1996 murder of 30-year-old Juan Leon Laureles, with a reward of up to $6,000 now available for information leading to an arrest.
According to DPS, deputies responded around 12:30 a.m. on May 10, 1996, to a vehicle fire along FM 2126 near the railroad crossing and Brownwood Rifle and Pistol Range access road.
When deputies arrived, they found Laureles dead beside his burning 1988 Ford Thunderbird. Investigators determined he had been shot in the back of the head and that the vehicle had been intentionally set on fire.
Authorities also discovered Laureles’ credit card had been stolen and used later that day at a Bealls Department Store in the area.
Despite numerous leads over the past 30 years, no arrests have been made.
Investigators are particularly interested in information about Laureles’ Ford Thunderbird, other vehicles traveling in the area on the night of his death, and transactions involving his stolen credit card.
The case is being featured through the Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program. The increased reward of up to $6,000 is available for qualifying information submitted before DPS announces its next featured cold case.
To be eligible for the reward, tips must be submitted through one of the approved methods:
Texas Crime Stoppers: 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
Submit through the official Texas Crime Stoppers online tip system and select “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case.”
Investigators continue to ask anyone with information about Laureles’ murder to come forward.