16 years later, no leads in Walton 'Pinky' Sanchez murder

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Instead of focusing on last-minute holiday shopping this time of year, the Sanchez family is spending another year looking for answers and hoping to find closure.

“Hopefully, this is the one that does it. The year 2025, is coming, and I want this case solved.”

Elizabeth Garza's, brother Walton Sanchez was shot dead over a decade ago in Mission, and 2024 marks 16 years since his death. The family has still not seen justice.

“I am his voice, and I'll continue being his voice to help solve this case," Garza said. "Hopefully there's somebody out there that might have seen this years back, or might have heard through somebody.”

On Dec. 23, 2008, a gold-colored car pulled up at 2020 Jo Anna Avenue where Sanchez also known as "Pinky", was visiting a friend.

As the car arrived, he was called over and as he approached the car, he was shot and killed. The shooting happened a block away from where he lived but no details have come to light since.

“This is where he was raised," Garza said. "He was here. That was his truck. He had a cat. He loved cats. He was not rich. We were not a rich family, but Pinky was an outgoing person. He loved to barbecue. He loved the holidays. He was always happy.”

Garza says that they continue to leave a plate for him at the dinner table in his memory, especially, during the holidays and special family occasions.

She hopes that her constant work with the Mission Police Department leads to answers.

Art Flores, Investigator and Public Information Officer for Mission Police Department, says they have not stopped working on the case.

“Our homicide unit is still working hard on this case," Flores said. "I understand it is 16 years, but we are still working hard, along with the family as well, to provide any information that we can to solve this cold case.”

Flores says anybody with information about this case can get a reward if it leads to an arrest. He also hopes the family can find some closure and adds any tip can be crucial to finding a suspect.

“Our investigator is working thoroughly as he's standing here next to me," he added. "He's been looking at the case for you know, and it's one of those cases where we try to get more information from outside sources as well.”

For now, the family is preparing for another Christmas without Pinky, and his sister is hoping for a miracle of justice.

“I feel Pinky, and I feel like he's trying to say, hey, let me move on," Garza said. "That's what I want. That's what we want. The family wants closure. And if you're watching this, put it in your heart.”

Garza says her neighborhood is very tight-knit and, someone should have some information on what happened 16 years ago.

Mission police say if you have any information on the case to please call them at (956) 584-5000 or the Mission Crime Stoppers hotline at (956) 581-8477.