JUSTICE FOR ALEXIA: AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO SEEK CLOSURE FOR FAMILY OF BRENHAM TODDLER 15 YEARS AFTER MURDER

  

Tomorrow (Saturday) marks 15 years since the death of a 2-year-old girl in Brenham, and authorities are still determined to obtain justice for her and her family.

Alexia Lopez died at the Brenham hospital on March 11, 2008 after suffering traumatic injuries to her stomach.  The child’s caretaker, Berny Mayel Figueroa, now 44, was considered the primary suspect by Brenham police, but she fled before being taken into custody.  A warrant is out for her arrest for murder. 

Since that day 15 years ago, local, state and federal agencies have relentlessly pursued any leads that might help bring Alexia’s mother, Sandra Torres, and her family resolution.  Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak said it is “aggravating” and “disheartening” that they have not been able to provide that closure, but work will never stop until they do. 

Figueroa is a native of Honduras and is believed to have fled there, at one point being potentially linked to the city of San Pedro Sula.  Honduras does not have an extradition process that could be used to return her to the United States.  Authorities suspect her family, who Sheriff Hanak says still lives in the area, played a role in moving her out of the country and have information on how to get her back.

The case has gained national attention, being featured on “America’s Most Wanted” and “The Hunt with John Walsh”.  Brenham Police Captain Lloyd Powell, who was assigned the lead role in the investigation at its beginning, said not a day goes by without thinking about Alexia’s murder and stressed that this is not a cold case.

There have not been major developments recently in the investigation, but Torres said she remains hopeful something will surface.  She said she would give everything up to have Alexia back.

A Crime Stoppers reward is offered to anyone who provides information leading to Figueroa’s arrest.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Brenham Police Department at 979-337-7337 or the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 979-277-6251.