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Mother, Sons Arrested In Connection With 2018 Murder Of Man Found In A Michigan Lake
Authorities say 20-year-old Emilio Valdez was still alive when he entered the waters of Osmun Lake after being shot in the head and chest, allegedly by Angel Alvarez.
A mother and her two sons are in custody after authorities connected them to the 2018 murder of a man found in a lake.
Michigan brothers Angel Jose Alvarez, 22, and Juan Diego Hernandez, 27 – along with their mother Guadalupe Davila-Rodriguez, 46 – were arrested on Friday for their roles in the murder of Emilio Valdez, according to Fox 2 Detroit. Valdez, 20, was shot to death and dumped in Osmun Lake in Pontiac, Michigan, nearly four years ago, authorities say.
On June 7, 2018, Valdez left his mother’s Oliver Street home around 2:00 a.m. and never returned, according to WDIV Local 4 News. Detectives said Valdez was carrying a bag of marijuana and a shoebox when he entered a Pontiac Grand Prix in front of his neighbor's house.
Not a moment later, gunshots rang out from inside the vehicle before it sped away.
It was later revealed that Valdez was shot in the chest and head, according to Local 4. The victim was still alive when he was thrown from a dock and entered the waters of Osmun Lake.
“It’s such a heinous way for a young person to – I mean, he was virtually killed from what we think – he was getting into a car with somebody he knew,” Oakland County Detective Matthew Peschke told Local 4. “It looks like things went bad. Murdered, dumped – it’s just horrible.”
Two fishermen alerted authorities the following day when they came upon bloody clothes inside a car found parked near the water, according to Fox 2. The car’s headlight was broken, and more blood was found on an adjacent dock. Deputies said they learned the vehicle hit some nearby benches, where they believed the victim was dragged into the water.
“There was actually a blood trail down the dock, and it led off the side where the broken rail was at,” said Peschke. “That’s where Emilio was found."
Valdez’s clothes were later discovered in nearby weeds with an apparent bullet hole in one of the garments.
Deputies said Alvarez was driving the Grand Prix seen near Valdez’s home, which was reported stolen by his mother, Guadalupe Davila-Rodriguez.
The stolen Grand Prix, containing the victim’s phone and a spent shell casing, was later found in Sylvan Lake, just a few miles away, according to Local 4. Deputies said there was also blood found inside the car.
“It wasn’t planned out, I think, on getting rid of him,” Peschke continued. “I think something possibly just went wrong, and somebody panicked.”
While jail records have yet to list the suspects’ charges, Fox 2 reported Alvarez was charged with open murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. His brother and mother were both charged with being accessories after the fact.
The motive for the murder was not disclosed. Authorities said, however, that they initially interviewed Alvarez on the day of the murder, but Alvarez denied playing a role in Valdez’s death, according to Fox 2.
Investigators haven't said what new information led to Friday’s arrest.
“I am proud of our deputies who constantly dig for more information and look for ways to not only solve crimes but to bring perpetrators to justice,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “We look forward to those involved in this homicide being held accountable.”
Relatives described the victim as a “cute” and “happy” young man who enjoyed playing sports, including basketball and snowboarding, according to Local 4.
“He was a good young man,” said Oakland County Detective Kevin Thomas. “Apparently, from all the people that we have talked to, he had a lot of friends. He didn’t do anything wrong."
All three defendants were booked into the Oakland County Jail. Records show their arraignments are pending.
