Police: Person of interest sought in connection with museum director's death

 Brownsville police are looking for a person of interest in the brutal slaying of Barry Horn, executive director of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. 

Police say the person of interest, Ernesto Ivan Martinez, 19, may have first-hand information regarding the killing. 

Horn, 59, was found stabbed to death at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday at his home at 1400 Flor De Mayo St. A museum co-worker had gone to look for Horn after failing to reach him regarding preparations for Saturday evening’s museum gala fundraiser. The co-worker then called authorities, police said in a news release. 

Police have portrayed Martinez as Horn’s former live-in boyfriend. However, Will Everett, a friend of Horn and an employee of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, refuted claims by police that Martinez was Horn’s partner. 

Everett said Horn had taken a strictly paternal interest in Martinez and had allowed him to stay at his home for several months; the young man had brought numerous girlfriends to the home and asked Horn to stay away while he was with them. About three weeks ago, Everett said, Martinez took Horn’s debit card and withdrew a substantial amount of money from the account. Everett said Horn then severed his friendship with Martinez. 

"The police are making this out to be a crime of passion," Everett said. "It couldn’t be. They were never involved." 

Police are still investigating a motive, but disclosed that some of Horn’s personal items as well as his gray 2008 Hyundai Sonata four door sedan are missing. The car's license plates are JWM 350. 

"The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was stabbed to death during an apparent struggle with the assailant," police said. "The investigation also suggests that entry to the residence was gained without the victim’s consent." 

Martinez is not a suspect in the case but a person who investigators want to interview and believe may have first hand knowledge of the case, police said. 

Investigators also believe that Martinez may be in possession of Horn’s automobile. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brownsville Police Department at 548-7000 or Brownville Police Crime Stoppers at 546-TIPS (8477)