Tiffany Valdez remembers vividly the night her brother was killed. On June 7, 2018, Emilio Valdez left his mother’s home in Pontiac, Michigan, and entered a Pontiac Grand Prix parked outside a neighbor’s house. Moments later, police reported he was shot inside the vehicle. Investigators found Emilio, 20, had gunshot wounds to the chest and head. He was still alive when his body was thrown into Osmun Lake.
“I heard the gunshots,” Valdez told Fox News Digital. “The car I had just seen him get into sped away with music blaring. He had called me earlier to unlock the door, as he didn’t have his key. He was visiting friends.”
Emilio’s body was later found in Osmun Lake, about which the family learned through social media. Tiffany and her sister had to identify his body. Described as a star athlete with a friendly demeanor, Emilio grew up in a large, close-knit family.
The murder was featured in Investigation Discovery’s series “Bodies in the Water,” which shares stories of homicide investigations involving water crime scenes. Each episode covers how forensics help solve cases.
In Emilio’s case, his sister said, “We always tried to contact him that night and morning.” His steady Snapchat updates stopped that morning, and in his final months, he hung out with new friends described as a rougher crowd. Emilio left home carrying a bag of marijuana and a shoebox.
Two fishermen found Emilio’s bloody clothes near Osmun Lake. Authorities noted a trail of blood, tire tracks, and drag marks near the lake. Retired Detective Dawn Mullins explained the challenges in solving the case.
“We held faith to find who did this, but it was difficult while the criminal was free,” said Valdez. Detective Kevin Thomas explained, “The cause was homicide through a gunshot to the head, but drowning caused death.”
A submerged Grand Prix containing blood, a spent shell casing, and Emilio’s phone was found. Linked to the suspect, Angel Jose Alvarez, Emilio’s Snapchat revealed communication with Alvarez before he vanished. Alvarez had denied involvement.
Alvarez’s mother, Guadalupe, later reported the car stolen. Investigators found Alvarez’s phone records showing he contacted his brother and mother post-murder. A new team of detectives revisited the case in 2022 and linked Snapchat activity to Alvarez.
Alvarez, his brother, and mother were arrested. Valdez expressed relief after the arrest. The trial convicted Alvarez of second-degree murder, leading to a 36½ to 80-year sentence. His family faced lower charges, with reduced sentences.
The motive remains unclear, though possible jealousy has been speculated due to Emilio’s friendships with women. Valdez stated, “We’re hopeful Angel admits his actions one day.” She urged caution in choosing friends.