GARLAND, TX — Flowers surrounded a large photo of Jacinto “Jay” Hernandez Torres at his funeral in 2016. Police say the journalist was murdered in the backyard of a home in Garland, Texas.

The 56-year-old, a real estate agent, was reportedly showing a rental property to a client when gunfire erupted. Torres was shot to death and his body was found three days later in the backyard of a vacant home on June 13, 2016.

In 1979, Torres emigrated to Texas from Mexico to become a journalist, the Dallas Morning News said. The publication also spoke with his daughter Aline Torres who told them, "He was a humanitarian in every sense of the word."

According to the Dallas Observer, initially some thought Torres, who also freelanced for La Estrella (the Star-Tribune bilingual publication) was killed because of his reporting on Mexican cartels, but that theory was later dispelled.

As detectives began to piece together information, they learned Torres was corresponding with a client who is now identified as 23-year-old Anibal Edilfredo Chirino Mejia.

The investigation, which included analyzing the Torres’ phone, uncovered the fact that Mejia was intending to file a lawsuit against Torres. Authorities say they believe Mejia is responsible for the murder and there's a warrant out for his arrest.

TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS:

• Height: 5 feet 9 inches
• Sex: Male
• Race: Hispanic
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Brown
• Location: Garland, TX
• Date of birth: April 11, 1993

If you know anything about this case or where Mejia is hiding out, please contact our hotline (833-3-PURSUE) or submit a tip online.

For more on this case, watch the “Deadly Poser” episode of In Pursuit With John Walsh on Wednesday, January 30 at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery! Or catch up on ID GO.

Read more: Univision, Dallas Observer, WFAA, Dallas Morning News