Human remains found south of Lubbock tied to missing person; Man accused of Murder

LUBBOCK, Texas — Armando Champion, 57, was arrested and accused of Murder in connection with the death of Elmo Minjarez, Jr., 54, the Lubbock Police Department confirmed on Tuesday.

Online jail records showed Champion was arrested in the 1900 block of East First Street on Monday by the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. His bond was set at $200,000.

Police on September 16 asked for the public’s help locating Minjarez, who had not been seen since August. According to LPD, Minjarez was reported to have been last seen in the 1800 block of East Colgate Street on August 16. Police received information that led them to believe Minjarez was in danger.

On September 18, human remains were found south of Lubbock.

Minjarez’ family shared a GoFundMe; if you’d like to donate, click here .

See below for more.

The following is a press release from the Lubbock Police Department:

(LUBBOCK, TX) – A man is in custody, charged with Murder, in connection to a missing person investigation.

57-year-old Armando Champion, was taken into custody without incident just after 10:00 p.m. on September 23rd. Investigators discovered information that established probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Champion. Champion was taken into custody in the 1900 block of East 1st Street by investigators with the Lubbock Texas Anti-Gang Center.

Metro detectives initiated and filed a missing person report on September 16th. Detectives were given information leading them to believe the missing person, 54- year-old Elmo Minjarez, Jr., was in danger.

The Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit along with the Forensic Investigations unit began a search and investigation in a rural area of South Lubbock on September 18th. Human remains were discovered during the search.

Champion was transported to the Lubbock County Detention Center, where he was charged with Murder, and held on a $200,000 bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

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