Tiffany Valdez remembers the gunshots that led to the tragic death of her brother Emilio in 2018. Emilio Valdez, 20, was killed after entering a car outside his mother’s house. Police found he had been shot in the chest and head before being dumped into Osmun Lake.
Emilio’s story is featured in “Bodies in the Water,” a true crime series by Investigation Discovery, which covers cases involving waterways as crime scenes. The series details how forensic evidence helps catch killers.
“I heard the gunshots,” Tiffany told Fox News Digital. “I ran out, saw the car speeding away, and couldn’t reach Emilio all night.” She later discovered on social media that a body had been found in Osmun Lake, which was later identified as her brother’s.
“We were always proud of him, he was spontaneous and kind,” Valdez said.
Emilio, an active social media user, stopped posting on Snapchat the morning he disappeared. Family members were unaware of his new friends, who seemed different from his old circle.
In “Bodies in the Water,” Emilio’s friend, Brandon Whisnant, said he didn’t know Emilio’s new social circle well. Investigators found Emilio’s bloody clothes near Osmun Lake, with evidence pointing to his murder there.
Alvarez’s mother reported her vehicle stolen after receiving a call from her son, who had a criminal background. Detectives later linked Alvarez to Snapchat messages exchanged with Emilio on the day of his killing.
Phone records helped piece together events, leading to arrests of Alvarez, his brother, and mother in 2022. Valdez expressed relief, marking an emotional win for the family.
The series suggests that jealousy over Emilio’s popularity and friendships with women may have motivated the crime. Prosecutors relied on phone records and vehicle evidence for Alvarez’s conviction. He was sentenced to 36½ to 80 years for second-degree murder in 2024. His family members pleaded to lesser charges.
“Angel never owned up,” Valdez said. “We want him to admit what happened. We continue hoping for justice and encouraging other grieving families.”
Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment for Foxnews.com.