SAN ANTONIO – People gathered at a home on the east side and burned candles in honor of 84-year-old Manuel or “Manny” Mendez.
“He’s the type of man I hope my son grows up to be the type of man I pray my daughter marries,” said Keila Rodriguez, who attended church with Manny.
Police say Manny was found wrapped, bound, and burned on the side of Rigsby Avenue near Clark around 7:35 a.m. on March 28. His death is being investigated as a murder.
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“We want justice. We want the police to do their job, because who’s next? They took from us an 84-year-old innocent man,” said Rodriguez.
His life is being remembered as one of service providing meals to those in need on the Southeast Side, traveling to Mexico as a missionary, and caring for local children.
“He was as Christ-like as you will find,” said David Mendez, Manny’s son.
Family members say Manny walked or took the bus everywhere and always wore a reflective construction vest.
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“He knew a lot of people in the community, and somebody hopefully has seen something. We’re asking them to think back to what was going on over the last week,” said David Mendez, his son.
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