A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an accused killer who fled to Venezuela following the death of Texas teen, Felicia Ruiz.
According to FOX 26 Houston, two people have been convicted of killing 17-year-old Felicia, and sentenced to decades in prison.
The primary suspect, Jesus Salazar, fled the country and has been on the run for decades.
On October 30, 1999, three people lured Felicia to what she thought would be a Halloween party. According to ABC 3 Eyewitness News, Felicia’s family had believed the killers were her friends.
However, once they had her alone, they brutally attacked her. Felicia’s mother, Carrie Ruiz, said that Salazar had a crush on Felicia, but became upset when the feelings were not returned.
They stabbed her over 39 times before leaving her body in a Houston field, near Highway 290 and Hollister.
Salazar was a member of the notorious Latin Kings gang, according to Investigation Discovery. The killers also had intentions of Felicia joining the gang, but her family said that she had refused.
“Salazar was protected by the Venezuelan government for over 25 years,” Director of Victim Services and Advocacy, Andy Kahan told FOX 26.
“They knew where he was, he knew he would never be extradited back to the United States. They protected him.”
Now, according to Felicia’s father, Lou Ruiz, Salazar is “enjoying his life, getting married, having a family,” according to what he told FOX 26.
Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering a “cash reward of up to $10,000” for Salazar’s capture.
He’s described as standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing around 165 pounds in 1999. He has the name “SALAZAR” tattooed across his chest.
“What would she look like today, what would she be doing?” Carrie told ABC 13. “Her children she would have had, a son-in-law, they’ll never know what they took.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).
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[Feature Photo: Felicia Ruiz/Handout]
