Homicide investigation ensues in Alton following discovery of body

ALTON, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The body found during a missing person investigation has been identified and ruled a homicide, authorities say.

On Thursday, July 4, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Alton Police Department regarding a missing person.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the missing person was living and was last seen within the Alton city limits, leading Alton PD to take over the investigation.

On Friday, July 12, investigators were following up on a lead at a residence, located at the 1800 block of E. Juarez Avenue, a release from Alton PD stated.

At the scene, they found a man's decomposed body inside the residence. Authorities identified the body as 45-year-old Alan Israel Sanchez Herrera, the man who was reported missing.

An autopsy revealed that the manner of death was homicide.

Alton PD is leading the homicide investigation alongside the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Division and Texas Rangers.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide investigation is asked to contact the Alton Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (956) 432-0700 or the Alton Crime Stoppers at (956) 585-TIPS (8477).