Murder victim found under pile of tires

NORTH OF PALMVIEW — Investigators identified a 65-year-old homicide victim found underneath a pile of tires Wednesday afternoon.

A person living near Marshall Street and Minnesota Road in rural Hidalgo County found the body of German Duque Gonzalez, 65, of Alton about 1:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators believe someone tried to hide Gonzalez’ body underneath several tires, officials said.

Gonzalez suffered blunt trauma to the head, a preliminary investigation revealed Thursday morning.

Investigators continued to wait for autopsy results.

A Weslaco resident found Gonzalez’ abandoned car near the 800 block of N. Louisiana Street about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday — about six hours before Gonzalez’ body was spotted north of Palmview.

His home is about 4 miles way from where he was found, according to Google maps.

The resident called Weslaco Police about the suspicious car and notified the Gonzalez’ family, officials said. It’s unclear how the resident made the connection between the 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis and the victim’s family.

Gonzalez’ family, concerned about his welfare, called the sheriff’s office shortly after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday after hearing about the abandoned vehicle, officials said.

Deputies then seized the vehicle and are currently processing it for evidence.

Authorities did not release further information.

This is the second homicide investigated by the sheriff’s office this year.