RICHMOND, Texas – The reward for information in the case of a 17-year-old Houston boy who was found shot to death near a Fort Bend County bayou was increased Friday.
Jason Montes' body was found Jan. 24 near F.M. Road 1464 and Bellaire Boulevard by teens walking home from school. Authorities said they believe Montes was the victim of a homicide.
Detective Daniel Colvillo, of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, said Montes walked outside his home about 9:45 p.m. the night before his body was found to make a phone call. The next morning, his family noticed he was missing and filed a report, Colvillo said.
Colvillo said that the area where Montes’ body was found is known as a place where children in the community congregate.
“A lot of citizens of that community have told us that specific area has been known for trouble,” Colvillo said. “We don’t know what brought Jason to that area.”
"First, I want to thank God for the privilege of being part of Jason's life," Roxana Chacon, Montes's aunt, said. "He was always happy and smiling. He enjoyed every moment that we shared as a family."
Jason's family members said they last saw him the night before his body was recovered.
The family filed a missing persons report hours later, and later that day, it got word of the discovery.
"My baby brother was just 17 years old and we want justice now -- justice for Jason," said Jennifer Montes, the victim’s sister.
Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls asked for the public’s help to find the person responsible for Montes’ death, saying the reward being offered by Crime Stoppers has been increased to $15,000.
“That’s nothing to sneeze at,” Nehls said.
The family is hopeful that the reward will spark leads.
"We're grateful for everyone who has supported our family through this loss. We need your help. Community, please help," Chacon said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-8477.
VIDEO: Authorities and family hold press conference about case