HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says evidence in a 45-year-old Houston Christmas Day double murder has been submitted for analysis using modern DNA technology as investigators renew their push for answers.
Authorities are seeking new information in the 1980 murders of 31-year-old Estella Salinas and her 14-year-old son, Andrew Salinas.
Recommended Videos
The reward for information leading to an arrest has been increased to $6,000, but only if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced.
What happened on Christmas Day, 1980
According to DPS, on Dec. 25, 1980, Estella and Andrew Salinas left their home to spend Christmas with family at Estella’s parents’ house across town.
Later that day, their bodies were discovered.
DPS said the mother and son were found strangled to death on the east side of White Oak Bayou near the Pinemont Bridge, close to the 4500 block of Creekmont Drive.
Investigators said witnesses last saw Estella and Andrew in a blue 1972 Mercury Cougar near the intersection of Cavalcade Street and the northbound US-59 frontage road in front of a McDonald’s.
Family members later located the vehicle near the intersection of Cavalcade and the Eastex Freeway. The car keys and personal items were still inside the vehicle, DPS said.
Despite interviews with several witnesses over the years, no arrests have been made.
The Houston Police Department and the Texas Rangers are actively investigating the murders and believe members of the community may have critical information that could help solve the case.
How to submit a tip
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
- Submit a tip online through the DPS cold case website and select “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case” in the appropriate sections.
Anyone with information about the murders of Estella and Andrew Salinas is urged to come forward.