SAN ANTONIO — The friend of an Elmendorf teenager whose body was found in an abandoned parking lot in 2020 has now been accused of killing him.
According to an arrest affidavit, that suspect, 21-year-old Bobby Tovar, is now jailed and facing manslaughter charges, as is 18-year-old Manuel Guzman-Escalante.
Guzman-Escalante told investigators Tovar had "rage" and "intentions" against Rangel over a $10 debt.
Tovar is being held on a $125,000 bond. Investigators say Oscar Rangel was hanging out with Tovar and three others, including Guzman-Escalante, on Dec. 30, 2020, when Rangel, 17, passed out at a mobile home. Tovar told investigators in June 2023 that Rangel was "highly intoxicated from Xanax."
Arresting documents indicate Tovar told investigators he observed Guzman-Escalante punching Rangel in the face, causing him to fall down on the porch. Tovar said he also began to strike Rangel.
Guzman-Escalante told investigators they put Rangel in Tovar's truck bed; he was later found wearing only a T-shirt and boxers, according to arrest records. Guzman-Escalante also told investigators he had no idea that Tovar was pulling into an abandoned lot, where he allegedly pulled the teen's body out onto the ground and beat him repeatedly.
"Guzman-Escalante advised me that he asked Tovar what he was doing, and that Tovar remained silent," the Texas Rangers investigator wrote in the arrest affidavit.
Investigators say Rangel was left out in the cold to die. His family reported him missing the next day. The victim's body was found later that day in a secluded grassy area next to a mobile home at 416 S. 2nd Avenue in Elmendorf, according to the arrest affidavit.
The local medical examiner said the teen died from blunt force trauma. Texas Rangers, upon reviewing the cold case, say they found incriminating text messages sent by Guzman-Escalante, who told investigators he expected Rangel would die after he was left in the parking lot.
Tovar admitted to the allegations in the arrest document, but says he was framed.
During a press conference Thursday, Elmendorf Police Chief Marco Pena reinforced his dedication to seeking answers for Rangel's family.
“I am so glad that finally, finally, a long time coming, a long time coming that the family has closure, some closure and Oscar can rest in peace," Pena said.
Jasmine Rangel has endured years of heartache, waiting for answers surrounding her brother’s death. But she’s never given up hope.
“He was my best friend, someone I could trust, talk to. He was a loving brother,” she said. “A lot of doubts were out there about how he passed away, but knowing how close I was with him, I knew it wasn’t just something random."
The Rangel family now prays for justice in Oscar's death as the investigation continues.
“I hope that my brother does get to get the justice that he needs that they get locked up. It can’t bring my brother back. Nothing can. But to have that closure it what we needed."
>TRENDING ON KENS YOUTUBE: