MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Authorities in Panola County, Mississippi are still looking for tips on who killed a father and daughter on a rural road in March.
“Whatever happened, it was very evil in my opinion,” said Captain Justin Maples, who is over investigations with the Panola County Sheriff’s Office.
In March, deputies responded to what was reported as a motor vehicle accident on River Road, but when investigators arrived on the scene, they found the aftermath of a bloody crime scene and the bodies of 42-year-old Victor Gonzalez and his daughter, 19-year-old Serenity Gonzalez.
Both had been shot. Deputies say the two bodies were only a few feet apart.
“We were made aware by family members that Victor and Serenity had come down from Memphis to Mississippi, trying to do a good deed, trying to buy a gaming PlayStation for a friend,” Capt. Maples said.
He said it appeared to be a robbery gone wrong, adding that the location of the murder scene was off a beaten path.
“Whoever got them there is from here and would know Panola County,” Capt. Maples mentioned.
A senseless crime has now left Victor and Serenity Gonzalez’s family grieving and searching for answers.
“If I were to ask a question, it would be why? All of this doesn’t make sense,” said Jessie Waterman, the biological son of Victor and younger brother of Serenity.
He hopes that evidence left at the crime scene will bring them closer to an arrest, but until that happens, he has this message for the suspects.
“Do the right thing, because at the end of the day, there’s got to be a heart in there somewhere, there’s got to be a conscience,” Capt. Maples said. “Maybe very deep, and the good Lord gets that, and when you wake up one day and have the moment to say, ‘I was wrong, and I got to pay my penance to society for it,’ come forward and tell everything.”
If you know who killed Victor and Serenity Gonzalez, you are urged to call Panola County Crimestoppers at 662-209-2011 or call 1-888-827-4637.
Your tip could help put some dangerous criminals behind bars. Remember, all calls are confidential.