Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County has increased the reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the death of a Las Cruces man whose remains were found dumped near Fairacres Elementary School last month.
The person whose information leads to an arrest is eligible to collect a $5,000 reward, up from the standard $2,000 offered in homicide investigations. All tips called in to the Crime Stoppers hotline or relayed via text message are anonymous.
According to Doña Ana County Sheriff’s detectives, the body of 61-year-old Robert Reed was found on Oct. 10 in the 4500 block of Picacho by a maintenance crew who was clearing weeds in the area.
Reed’s remains were badly decomposed and were sent to the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification. Detectives believe the remains, which were wrapped in a tarp, could have been dumped as early as mid-August.
Sheriff’s department investigators and intelligence analysts have tried to locate next of kin, but have been unsuccessful. What they know is that Reed, who lived off West Fleming Avenue, frequented Branigan Library and also walked with a cane.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be sent via text message to CRIMES (274637) using the keyword LCTIPS. The Crime Stoppers number and text messaging services are operational 24 hours a day and you do not have to give your name to collect a reward.