San Antonio Man Killed In Anthony Pulled Over At Rest Stop Says Family

By ABC-7 Reporter Daniel Marin

EL PASO – Tim Engelbrech has no problem recalling the things he loved most about Adam Espinoza. He just wishes he could forget how the 20-year-old’s life would end.

“He’d written three plays, short stories, poetry,” said Engelbrech. “He sings, plays the saxophone.”

Espinoza was driving to San Diego to move in with his sister before his body was discovered in his burnt-out car in Anthony, New Mexico. Engelbrech is that sister’s father-in-law. He’s an art teacher at Morehead Middle School in El Paso.

Engelbrech says the last time his daughter-in-law heard from Adam, he seemed nervous.

“He called and said there was a car that was like trailing him,” Engelbrech told ABC-7. “He said he thought it was suspicious.”

Engelbrech says after apparently losing the car, Adam told his sister he was pulling over at a rest stop; his car loaded with everything he owned, including his laptop and his saxophone.

Monday, three Anthony teenagers – all accused gang members – were charged with Espinoza’s murder. Because the case is sealed, New Mexico State Police aren’t revealing exactly how Espinoza was killed or if any other arrests could be possible.

When asked what he’d say to the three suspects in custody, Engelbrech said, “You took an angel out of our lives, out of the world.”