Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking information about the 1996 murder of Juan Leon Laureles, 30, in Brown Co. The reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for his death is now increased to $6,000 if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward.
On May 10, 1996, at about 12:30 a.m., the Brown Co. Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle fire along FM 2126 near the railroad crossing/Brownwood Rifle and Pistol Range access road. When they arrived, deputies found Laureles’ body next to the burning vehicle. Laureles had been shot in the back of the head, and his 1988 Ford Thunderbird had been set on fire. They also discovered Laureles’ credit card had been stolen and used at a Bealls Department Store in the area later that day.
Over the years, investigators have pursued numerous leads in this case – but no arrests have ever been made. Now, 30 years later, the Brown Co. Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are seeking help from the public as they continue to actively investigate Laureles’ murder. Authorities believe members of the community have critical information that could solve this case, including details about Laureles’ 1988 Ford Thunderbird or other vehicles traveling in the area on the night of his death. Investigators are also interested in any tip information about the transactions made on Laureles’ stolen credit card.
To be eligible for cash rewards for this case, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of these two methods:
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
- Submit a tip online through this link only and select “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case” in the type of crime and offense type sections.
As part of a DPS public awareness program, one case from the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation (Cold Case) Program is featured bi-monthly to generate new investigative leads and bring attention to these cold cases. Texas Crime Stoppers rewards are increased up to $6,000 for featured cases to generate additional tips. The higher reward will only be paid if the tip is submitted before the next cold case is featured.
The Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program was created to assist Texas law enforcement agencies in investigating unsolved homicides or violent serial crimes. Since there is no statute of limitations for the offense of murder, investigators pursue these cases to a successful resolution or until no viable leads remain.
(HQ 2026-086) Texas DPS
