Family of 2016 cold case victim speaks after breakthrough

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A breakthrough was made in a decade-long case as a suspect was named in connection to the murder of Janette Escamilla Jaramillo.

Maria Rivera was only 16 years old when she lost her mother. Since then, she has not known who and why someone would kill her.

However, that all changed when Texas Rangers, the Webb County District Attorney and Laredo Police announced there was a break in the case.

42-year-old Sergio Mendez was indicted on Jaramillo’s murder. She was last seen walking by a business in San Bernardo on May 18, 2016, past midnight.

Maria Rivera and her siblings are now reliving that day, and they note that it has been a lot for them to handle.

Police say DNA evidence left at the crime scene and the utilization of technology not available in 2016 connected Mendez to the crime.

“I just felt happy; I felt happy that my mom is going to get justice; after 9 years, that’s crazy,” Maria Rivera said.

For her, the last few years have been difficult, especially reliving the last words she had with her mother.

“It’s been hard because who doesn’t need their mom in their life? I have to live with that. I fought with my mom. That was the last thing, and we were super close to my mom. It was hard,” she said.

A trial date is yet to be set. Jaramillo’s children, like Perla Rivera, want their mother to be remembered for who she was.

“She had a warm heart, was very nice, very understanding and had a lot of patience. She was a really good role model, and I follow that model for her,” Perla Rivera said.

Mendez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Edinburg, Texas, for another crime.

Jaramillo’s family continues to remember and hope justice will be served.

Police, along with the DA’s Office, say they were able to make the breakthrough because of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI).

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