More than 30 years ago, a woman was murdered inside her own home in East El Paso. To this day, no one has been arrested for her death.
It’s a bit unsettling to think that a case like this has remained unsolved in our own community for more than three decades.
There are so many unanswered questions surrounding the 1995 murder of Celia Loya, and now the Texas Department of Public Safety is hoping someone out there may have information that could finally help investigators find answers.
What Happened to Celia Loya in El Paso in 1995?
On February 7, 1995, 30-year-old Celia Loya called her coworkers at American Sling, where she worked as an office manager, to let them know she would be running late.
But Celia never made it to work.
According to Texas DPS, her husband became concerned when he couldn’t reach her and went to check on her at their home on Lake Champlain Street in East El Paso.
What he discovered was devastating.
Celia was found dead on the bathroom floor after being severely beaten. Investigators determined that she died from extensive blood loss caused by blunt-force injuries to her head and body. There were also signs of a struggle in the living room.
And that’s where the details surrounding this case become even more unsettling.
Who entered Celia’s home that morning? What happened between the time she called her coworkers and the moment her husband found her? Did anyone in the neighborhood see or hear something unusual?
These are some of the questions that come to mind when reading about her case, and more than three decades later, the answers remain unclear.
The El Paso Police Department and Texas Rangers have followed leads, conducted interviews, and examined evidence collected from the scene over the years. However, no arrests have ever been made.
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Texas DPS Increases Reward for Information in El Paso Cold Case
Now, 31 years after Celia’s murder, Texas DPS is renewing its appeal to the public and increasing the reward for information leading to an arrest to $6,000.
Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have information about Celia’s activities or whereabouts leading up to her death.
They’re also hoping to hear from anyone who may have seen her on the morning of February 7, 1995, or noticed suspicious activity near her home on Lake Champlain Street.
The increased reward is temporary and is only available for qualifying tips submitted before the Texas Rangers announce their next featured cold case.
Anyone with information who wishes to be eligible for the reward must submit a tip through one of the following methods:
– Call Texas Crime Stoppers: 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
– Submit a tip online: Through the Texas DPS cold case announcement using the designated tip submission link. Select “Cold Cases Featured” and “Cold Case” in the appropriate sections.
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It’s hard to imagine how much has changed in El Paso since 1995, yet this case remains unresolved.
Maybe someone who lived in that East El Paso neighborhood remembers something. Maybe someone who knew Celia has information they’ve never shared. Or perhaps someone reading about her case for the first time will recognize a detail that could help investigators.
After more than 30 years, Celia Loya’s murder remains unsolved. Hopefully, renewed attention to her case can help bring investigators closer to the answers her family has waited decades to receive.
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