SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest in the Nov. 12, 2011, murder of 23-year-old John Anthony Maldonado.
He was found shot to death in his apartment at the Doral Club Apartments at 7750 Culebra.
Maldonado's girlfriend, Abigale Martinez, who lived with him, says she returned from out of town that day to discover his body.
"I was so afraid, I didn't know what to do," she said. "I just kind of looked around the apartment and ran out because I was scared."
The apartment was unlocked and police say there were no signs of any forced entry, leading Maldonado's family to believe he knew his killer.
Martinez says flat-screen TV, gaming system and DVDs were missing from the apartment.
"We know somebody knows something because there had to be more than one person if they were carrying a big TV downstairs, as well as an Xbox," Martinez said.
Rebecca De Leon, Maldonado's mother, describes the time since her oldest son was killed "a long nightmare."
"Your life changes when you get that phone call that no parent should get," she said.
Maldonado's daughter turns 2 this year. She was four months old when he was killed.
In that time, as they've watched his legacy grow through his toddler, the family's questions loom large.
They're now hoping the $5,000 dollar reward from Crime Stoppers will get them answers.
"I know its been a year and six months since my son passed, but its not too late," said De Leon. "Because I know there's someone out there who saw something. They don't have to give names. I just want them to come forward and say ‘I saw something.'"
You can call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP. You can also submit tips online at www.SACrimestoppers.com or text it to CRIMES. Text "tip 127" followed by the information.
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