Nearly three decades after Juan Leon Laureles was found shot beside a burning vehicle in Brown County, authorities are asking the public to help solve the unsolved murder. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the reward for information leading to an arrest has increased to $6,000 for tips received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced.

Laureles, 30, was killed on May 10, 1996. At about 12:30 a.m., the Brown County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle fire along FM 2126 near the railroad crossing and the Brownwood Rifle and Pistol Range access road. Deputies found Laureles’ body next to the burning vehicle.

Investigators determined that Laureles had been shot in the back of the head. His 1988 Ford Thunderbird had been set on fire, and his credit card was stolen. The card was later used at a Bealls Department Store in the area that same day.

Investigators continue seeking leads

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers say they are still actively investigating the case. Authorities said numerous leads have been pursued over the years, but no arrests have been made.

Investigators are particularly interested in information about Laureles’ 1988 Ford Thunderbird and any other vehicles traveling in the area on the night of the killing. They are also seeking information about transactions made with Laureles’ stolen credit card.

Authorities believe people in the community may have information that could help resolve the case, even if those details were not previously reported. Anyone who remembers seeing vehicles near FM 2126, the railroad crossing or the Brownwood Rifle and Pistol Range access road may have information investigators want to review.

How to submit a tip

To qualify for the cash reward, tipsters must use one of two methods:

  • Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
  • Submit a tip online through the designated Crime Stoppers link, selecting “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case” in the crime and offense type sections.

The increased reward applies only while the Laureles case is the featured Texas Rangers cold case. DPS said the higher reward will be paid only when the tip is submitted before the next cold case is featured.

The case is part of the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation, or Cold Case, Program, which features one case every two months to generate new investigative leads and draw attention to unsolved cases. The program assists Texas law enforcement agencies with unsolved homicides and violent serial crimes.

Because murder has no statute of limitations in Texas, investigators continue pursuing these cases until they are resolved or no viable leads remain.