Grieving Laredo family seeks answers in death of Purple Heart veteran in Nuevo Laredo

LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – A grieving family is searching for answers after their loved one went missing over the weekend and was later found dead.

The family of 90-year-old Francisco Mendiola mourns the loss of their loved one, whom they remember as a local hero.

Gloria Salinas, Francisco Mendiola's sister, said: “We always thought that maybe this would happen when he was in the army, but you know, he was injured once, but not… like this.”

The family added: “He served in the Army for over 25 years, was wounded in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart, but he never spoke about his actions, saying it was very private.”

Salinas said they received devastating news on Wednesday that Mendiola was found dead in Nuevo Laredo after being missing for four days.

According to Laredo police, Mr. Mendiola was last seen on Saturday in the 100 block of Salinas Avenue, where he was dropped off and was believed to be on his way to Nuevo Laredo, where he lives.

Veronica Valdez, Mendiola's niece, said his wife reported him missing after he did not return home that night.

Valdez said, “His wife made the first report there in Nuevo Laredo, then she called my mother and told her she had filed a missing person report because he hadn't come home. I think my mother then filed the report here with the Laredo police on Sunday.”

Although the cause of death has not been disclosed, the family continues to try to close the case.

Gloria added: “We are doing our best to get a report on what happened, but since it was in Nuevo Laredo, sometimes it takes time. We are working as quickly as possible and hope they can give us all the information.”

In the meantime, the family hopes to have Mr. Mendiola's remains returned to the United States for a proper burial.

Valdez said, “We will bring him here to Laredo so we can honor him. As a veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, he deserves to be honored as a soldier and a hero.”

With so many missing persons cases reported in Laredo and across the United States, Salinas hopes others don't give up hope of finding their loved ones.

Gloria said, “We couldn't get ours, but I hope other families find their missing loved ones.”

According to Laredo police, Nuevo Laredo authorities will conduct an autopsy on Mendiola's case, but at this time they believe there are no signs of foul play.

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