It was a murder that shocked a quiet Las Cruces neighborhood, a murder that is to this day unsolved. An elderly, disabled man who lived alone was found bludgeoned to death inside his own home. Those closest to him want justice.
It is the day Larry Rios and his wife, Esther, say they will never forget. March 11th 2008: their long- time friend, 72-year-old James Wilson was found murdered inside his home at 1800 Camino del Rex. The quiet Las Cruces neighborhood in the Country Club area was the scene of a gruesome crime.
"I couldn't believe it. Who would do such an awful thing?" said long-time friend Rios in between sobs.
"He had already lost his health and his wife and there was no need to murder him," said Larry.
The Rios, who knew Wilson for 30 years, say he lived a quiet life and had no problems with anybody. Wilson retired in 1990 as the deputy resource manager from White Sands Missile Range where he and Larry met in the 1970s.
"People told me that he was a tough boss but I think he was a fair person as far as that goes and of course, sharing the interest of golf, we got along really well," said Larry.
Health problems would force the avid golfer to give up his favorite hobby. He had diabetes and had his foot amputated in the year 2005. "He really struggled and he walked with a walker and had a very difficult time walking a short distance," said Larry.
Then in 2006, Wilson's wife of nearly 50 years, Miyo, his only immediate family passed away. Heart-broken and in poor health, Wilson spent most of his time at home alone.
NewsChannel 9's camera's were allowed inside his house which has been vacant since Wilson's murder. Authorities say one of Wilson's friends discovered the shocking scene.
"His friend tried the door. The door was open. He walked in looking for Mr. Wilson, found him in his back bedroom," said Det. Mike Myers with the Las Cruces Police Department.
"He was lying in his bed and he'd been bludgeoned to death. He had been struck numerous times. It was a pretty gruesome scene," said Myers.
Myers has been on the case since day one. He has a box filled with pictures and notes on the case but this is the only murder case in Las Cruces from 2008 he has not been able to close.
"To this point, we've excluded everybody that would have been a person of interest," said Myers.
Detectives say, there was no sign of forced entry, that there's never been any forensic evidence found at the scene and that it's been at least a few months since they've had any leads in the case.
This much they do know: some items were stolen from the home. As to why a theft turned to murder, that remains a mystery. "We can't find anything in Mr. Wilson's background that would lead us to believe that someone came in with the intent to kill Mr. Wilson," said Myers. "It seems like it was more like a theft-related event."
It's been more than a year and a half since Wilson's murder and his friends, The Rios, want your help to put his killer behind bars where he or she can't take another innocent life.
"I would like the community to get involved and help solve this murder. We cannot let it go unsolved," said Esther.
"They could have taken everything they wanted and covered their faces and walked away," said Larry. "He would have never been able to chase him or identify them. And it's the cruelest thing that anybody... it's horrible. I don't see anybody could do that."
Detectives say, if someone you know came into some unexpected money at around March 11th, 2008 or if they were acting out of the ordinary around that time or if they act different around the murder anniversary, they need to hear from you. Remember that even if you think the information you have is not important that may be the piece of the puzzle that helps solve this case.
If you have any information contact Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 575-526-8000.
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