Unsolved Crimes International, Web Mystery Magazine Spring 2005

The Greatest Grief

Grief can be felt in many ways on many levels, but experts in crime psychology generally agree that the greatest grief felt is a loss without resolution. These three case files from Unsolved Crimes International tell the story of children taken from their loved ones with the hope that somehow, someone can provide a clue that will bring resolution. These cases are only the tiniest fraction of a percentage of missing child cases around the country but it is our belief that each case is important and these children must not and will not be forgotten.

Jesus Martinez Alvarado

On October 21, 2004 an Amber alert was issued in the state of Texas for four year old Jesus Martinez Alvarado after his mother was found stabbed to death in her former husband's apartment in Houston.

By all accounts, the relationship between Rocio Alvarado and Avelino Martinez had always been stormy. In late 2004, Alvarado and Martinez were estranged and tensions were mounting. Rocio lived with her one-year-old daughter a child, from her relationship with Martinez, and Jesus who was not Martinez's biological son.

Early on October 20th, Martinez's roommate saw the couple in the apartment he and Martinez shared. He told police that Martinez had asked to use his pick up. That night when the roommate returned he saw Rocio apparently asleep in Martinez's bed. The daughter was moving around the apartment and it looked to the roommate as if her mother was just taking a nap. Around midnight when Rocio still hadn't stirred and the baby started crying the roommate went to try and wake her and discovered she was dead.

Authorities believe Avelino Martinez killed Rocio then left with Jesus, possibly taking him to Laredo where he had relatives. Rocio's family desperately want Jesus returned.

Avelino Martinez is a Hispanic male, around 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 lbs. He is 31 years of age, last seen in a 1993 beige extended cab Chevrolet pickup with the license number of VS2-034. Anyone with information about this case should contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or CRIMESTOPPERS at (713) 222-TIPS.

Sean Shrewsbury

Five months before the apparent murder and kidnapping in Houston a five-year-old boy in Laguna Vista, Texas went missing. His name was Sean Shrewsbury and family members are still desperate to know where he is and what has happened to him.

According to reports, Sean was staying at his grandfather's house at the South Padre Island Golf Course in Laguna, Texas when his father John Aisa Shrewsbury abducted him. During the abduction, Shrewsbury allegedly stabbed the grandfather with a knife. The grandfather was treated by EMS at the scene and recovered.

Kenya Shrewsbury, Sean's mother, had filed for divorce and received a restraining order from 103rd State District Court ordering John Shrewsbury to stay away from his wife and two children. Law enforcement has said from the beginning of the case that the boy is in grave danger. If John Shrewsbury is found, he will be charged with kidnapping and attempted murder.

It is assumed that his father fled to Mexico with Sean. There are reports that the father and son were seen at the Progresso International Bridge some three hours after the kidnapping. John Shrewsbury may also have a South African passport.

Sean Shrewsbury is 5 years old with brown hair and black eyes. He is three feet tall and weighs around 45 pounds. His father, John Shrewsbury, is a 26 year old white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is five feet nine inches tall and weighs around 154 pounds. Law enforcement and the family desperately need the help of anyone with information about this case. If you know of anything that might help, please contact the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department at 956-544-0860.

Mariana Cisneros

On February 20, 2003 Martha L Cano Patlan arrived at the Nashville workplace of one of her relatives. With her were her boyfriend Genero Espinoza Dorantes and two children, eight-year-old Maria Cisneros and her-four-year old brother Luis.

The relative immediately realized something was wrong. Young Luis appeared very sick and Maria appeared to be in a state of shock. Patlan asked for money to take Luis to the hospital then left. But the relative couldn't get the children out of his mind and some time later called the Nashville police department to express concern about the children's welfare. Police went to the mother's apartment but found no one there.

Three days later the body of a small boy was found in Nashville West Park. The U.S. Attorney reported that the perpetrator had "basically dumped the little boy face down in a pile of dirt." Metro Police detectives were able to identify the victim as four-year-old Luis Cisneros.

The horror of the case was emphasized by the findings of the Metro Medical Examiner. He found infected burn wounds below the child's waist and internal head injuries that had been caused by "blunt trauma." In his opinion, Luis had died of multiple injuries from "battered child syndrome."

Jose Luis Cisneros, the child's biological father, described Luis as a beautiful and very intelligent child. Many of those attending the funeral did not know Luis or his family; they simply wanted to show their support for the father in his time of sorrow. It is feared that Patlan and Dorantes may have taken Mariana to Mexico. It is obvious that, if still alive, Mariana is in deadly danger. Federal warrants have been issued for the couple charging them with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Anyone with information should call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-866-88 AMBER (26237).

These three small victims are not only remembered by UCI in our casebooks, they are remembered in our prayers. If you can help, please do so.