Full Notification

This week is expected to be a particularly emotional one for the family and friends of a 29-year-old Arlington woman. Nearly one year ago this week, Evelia Villa Valencia was killed in her home. With this tragic anniversary approaching, Arlington Police homicide detectives continue to search for evidence that will lead to Evelia’s killer and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.

Evelia, who was more commonly known as La Cachora by friends and family, was found deceased on Monday, May 23, 2011, at her home in the 2400 block of E. Park Row. She was discovered in her bedroom and had been strangled, according to the ruling by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

As part of the police investigation, officers have talked to Evelia’s family and friends to build a timeline of the final days of her life. On Sunday, one day before her death, Evelia went out to dinner with friends in Grand Prairie. The next morning she prepared two of her children for school and cared for her infant. Just hours before her death, Evelia was seen walking one of her kids to a nearby school.

“We continue to look at several people as possible suspects and are working to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring Evelia’s killer to justice,” said Homicide Detective Lisa Wade, who is the lead investigator in this case. Detectives are continuing to reach out to every person who had a relationship or knew Evelia. “Over the past year, we have talked to a lot of people. Unfortunately, at this point, nothing has given us the evidence to arrest a suspect. But I know that someone out there knows something. This case, like so many other crimes, is going to require help from the community.”

The one bit of information that could turn the case and lead to Evelia’s killer might seem insignificant, but when added to the information already gathered by police could be the break in the case, said Detective Wade. The department has Spanish-speakers and is only concerned with this criminal investigation, not the immigration status of possible witnesses.

Anyone with information or details about any encounters with Evelia in the months before her death is encouraged to call Arlington Police Detective Lisa Wade at 817 459-5325, or Crime Stoppers at 817 469-TIPS (8477). All tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

Arlington Police detectives and victim services advocates continue to meet with Evelia’s family and provide regular updates on all aspects of this case. For her family – both here and in Panama -, building a case that will lead to the prosecution of the person or persons responsible for Evelia’s death is the only fitting resolution to this tragedy.

Augustine Villa, Evelia’s father, said this week that he is waiting for the day that his daughter’s killer is arrested and convicted. “I would feel happy. I would even cry of happiness,” he said. “I would never want anyone else to go through what I am going through. I would never wish this upon anyone, not even my worst enemy.”