Harlingen Teen's Family Asking for Tips Leading to Remains
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HARLINGEN – The family of Harlingen teen Abigail Estrada is hoping to garner attention back to the case and find her remains.
Estrada went missing and was never found.
Ruben Torres is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for the death of the 13-year-old. She was his girlfriend when she disappeared on June 16, 2007.
Harlingen police arrested and charged Torres for Estrada’s death in 2015. Shortly after her disappearance in 2007, he was arrested and charged with capital murder but was let go due to lack of evidence.
Torres was convicted this year but never admitted to killing Estrada.
Laura Estrada, her aunt and the family's spokeswoman, said their frustration continues.
"We still don't have closure, even though Ruben's been sentenced," Estrada said. "We still need to find Abigail. We were hoping that he would have already said something."
Ten years later, Estrada isn't losing hope.
She's set up a GoFundMe account, hoping to collect reward money for information on where her niece could be.
"She's out there somewhere, and someone knows something," Estrada said.
In 2012, Harlingen police searched a remote area near the Valley International Airport. At the time, they said they were looking for evidence in the case. No remains were found.
Estrada said she and her family just want to give her niece the proper goodbye she deserves.
"With the weather and elements, it's going to be hard, but at least so we can know where she is at and try to give her proper burial," Estrada said.
Torres initially pleaded not guilty to capital murder charges when he was arrested in 2015.
During his trial in January, he took a deal from the state and pleaded no-contest to a lesser charge of murder.
Harlingen police said they will look into any lead that could lead them to Estrada's remains.
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