Henry Luis Suárez-Pérez, a 38-year-old Cuban residing in Killeen, Texas, was discovered deceased on October 27 in a creek bed near White Flint Park Road and Winkler Park Road, a rural area west of Temple.
The discovery concluded a search that had officially begun on October 24 when the Killeen Police Department reported him missing.
Identified by the Dallas County medical examiner, Suárez-Pérez was related to a military service member.
His death is being treated as suspicious, according to a statement from the Bell County Sheriff's Office.
"The Bell County Sheriff's Office, Criminal Investigations Division, is spearheading the investigation, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol, Texas Department of Criminal Justice K-9 Unit, and the Army Field Office in Central Texas," the statement read.
Although the official source did not mention the deceased's Cuban origin, Suárez-Pérez was indeed Cuban, originally from Yaguajay in the Sancti Spíritus province, as reported by crime journalist Niover Licea based on information from those close to the deceased.
Early Clues Before the Discovery
Although the formal missing report was filed on October 24, authorities had multiple interactions with the area where Suárez-Pérez's body was eventually found.
On October 6, nearly three weeks before the discovery, the Sheriff's Office Patrol Division received a call about a suspicious vehicle parked near White Flint Park Road, adjacent to State Highway 36.
Upon arrival, officers found the vehicle empty and marked it with an abandonment notice.
The following day, October 7, a citizen reported seeing a man sitting on the road near the same intersection. An officer responded but was unable to locate anyone.
On October 22, another resident requested a recheck on the abandoned car. This time, it was impounded and moved to a storage facility in Temple.
Despite these clues, it wasn't until October 27, after interviewing local residents, that investigators found the lifeless body in a nearby creek.
The Bell County Sheriff's Office has requested public assistance in clarifying the circumstances surrounding Suárez-Pérez's death.
"The investigation has determined that Henry Luis Suárez-Pérez was likely in the area where his vehicle and body were found since October 6, 2025," the statement specified.
A Family Informed, Many Questions Unanswered
Suárez-Pérez's family has been notified of his passing. An autopsy, ordered by Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman, will be conducted by the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office.
Authorities have yet to disclose details about the condition of the body or potential signs of violence, although they have confirmed that the case is being handled as a suspicious death.
The involvement of multiple agencies, including state and federal units, underscores the complexity of the case and the need to unravel not only how Suárez-Pérez died but also what happened during the weeks he was missing and why his vehicle remained in the area without a more thorough search.
Anyone with information about his activities or who can provide relevant details is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 254-933-5442 or Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477 (254-526-TIPS).
Unraveling the Mystery of Suárez-Pérez's Death
What led to the discovery of Suárez-Pérez's body?
After interviewing local residents, investigators located the body in a creek near White Flint Park Road, concluding the search that started on October 24.
Why is Suárez-Pérez's death considered suspicious?
The case is being treated as suspicious due to unexplained circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the eventual discovery of his body.
What agencies are involved in the investigation?
The Bell County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, and other state and federal units.