Family, police look for help finding Phoenix man's killer

PHOENIX - Phoenix Police and the family of a man found dead in the trunk of his car are pleading with the public for help bringing those responsible to justice.

The devastated Estrada family said their 22-year-old son, David Estrada, was one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

"What can I say, he was my son. He was an angel. He loved life," the victim’s father, Jesus Estrada said.

Somebody took that life away from David. Phoenix police confirmed the body found shoved into the trunk of Jesus’s car Thursday morning was David.

Jesus said he knew something was wrong days earlier on Monday night when David didn't return home from a job interview. Despite his concerns, Jesus said police made him wait before he could file a missing person's report.

"They said because he was 22 years old, an adult, I had to wait 72 hours, so on Thursday morning I called at 9 o'clock,” he said.

The Estrada family learned their worst fears were true hours later. Police discovered the car David took to the interview abandoned in an alley near Bethany Home Road and 40th Avenue in Phoenix.

According to Phoenix police, a towing company had hauled the car to their impound lot where employees found David's body in the trunk.

Investigators are still searching for clues and for who did it.

"All they said was that he got beat up and I know if he did there was more than one guy because my son was six foot, 300 pounds. You and I together couldn't tackle him," Jesus said.

The loss of David has shattered Jesus and his family, but they are somewhat comforted in their belief that justice will be done.

"You guys will get caught; if not by the law here in Arizona then by the man upstairs," Jesus said directing his comment towards those responsible for his son’s death.

"People ask me, 'is it hard?' There's not an answer for it; it's just hard," Jesus said.

Phoenix investigators have not released the cause of David’s death other than that they believe it was from an attack. They also have not offered a motive for the crime, but the family said it was likely a robbery.

Police and the family have asked for the public’s help in finding the suspect or suspects in David's murder. Anyone with information is urged to call the Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau at 602-262-6141 or “SILENT WITNESS” at 480-948-6377. Spanish speakers can call 480-837-8446.

The Estrada family has set up a memorial fund for David through Wells Fargo Bank, account number 1457680666 under the name “Maria Estrada.”