Texas Border Business
MISSION, Texas – A Mission man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty of murder. On October 7, 2025, a Hidalgo County jury found Aaron Madrid Cervantes, 22, of Mission, Texas, guilty of murder, announced Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios.
The evidence revealed that on May 30, 2024, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence off Doffing Road in Mission, Texas in reference to a male that had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Fernando Madrid, was found deceased inside his bathroom with a trail of blood leading throughout the house.
After two days of testimony, it was learned that Fernando Madrid, his wife, stepdaughter, and granddaughter awoke around 3:30 a.m. to the sound of dogs barking. Madrid went outside and found his nephew, Aaron Madrid Cervantes, stealing his roosters. Cervantes shot his uncle in the chest and chased him into the house, shooting him two more times in the arm. Witnesses heard Cervantes yell, in Spanish, “I told you not to mess with me!”
Deputies arrived and found Cervantes who told them he killed Madrid. The jury also heard testimony that Cervantes had stolen the gun from a person he worked for.
The punishment phase of the trial began immediately after the guilty verdict was announced. The same jury heard about the effect Fernando Madrid’s murder has had on his family. A punishment verdict was returned the same day and the jury sentenced Cervantes to life in prison.
“The jury’s verdict speaks loud and clear to Cervantes and other violent offenders,” said Palacios. “Our community will not tolerate vicious crimes and will hold violators accountable for their actions.”
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Gretchen Flader and David E. Vasquez prosecuted the case.
