The Texas Department of Public Safety is renewing a request for help solving the 1980 Christmas Day murder of a mother and son found strangled near Houston’s White Oak Bayou.
The murder of Estella Salinas, 31, and her son, Andrew Salinas, 14, is a highlighted cold case from the Texas Rangers this week, according to a release from the Texas Rangers.
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Additionally, the reward for information has been bumped up to $6,000 for anyone coming forward with new information before the next featured cold case is highlighted.
Their bodies were found near White Oak Bayou and the Pinemont Bridge near the 4500 block of Creekmont Drive Dec. 25, 1980, according to Texas Rangers case information.
They left their home earlier that day to spend time on Christmas Day with Estella’s parents who lived in a different part of Houston.
“Estella and Andrew were last seen by witnesses in a blue-colored 1972 Mercury Cougar near the intersection of Cavalcade Street and the US-59 northbound frontage road in front of a McDonald’s,” according to case information.
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This car was later found by family members at the intersection of Cavalcade and the Eastex Freeway with their personal items and keys inside.
The murders continue to be investigated by the Houston Police Department and Texas Rangers with hopes that new DNA technology can solve the case.
Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip through an online form.
This article originally published at Texas DPS boosts reward, seeks tips in 1980 Houston bayou murders of mother and son.