Texas Authorities Increase Reward in 1995 Loya Murder
The state has raised the cash reward for tips leading to an arrest in the unsolved 1995 death of Celia Loya.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the El Paso Police Department are offering a $6,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the cold case murder of Celia Loya. Loya, a 30-year-old office manager, was found dead in her El Paso home on Lake Chaplain Street in 1995.
Why it matters
Law enforcement agencies are seeking fresh leads to resolve a decades-old homicide that has remained open without any arrests. Increasing the reward amount is a strategic effort to encourage new witnesses to come forward with information regarding the 1995 incident.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has increased the reward to $6,000 for information leading to an arrest. Authorities have made no arrests in the case since Loya was found deceased in 1995.
The players
Celia Loya
She was a 30-year-old office manager at American Sling who was found murdered in her El Paso home.
Texas Department of Public Safety
This state agency is responsible for overseeing law enforcement and cold case investigations across Texas.
El Paso Police Department
This municipal agency handles local law enforcement and is involved in the ongoing investigation of this homicide.
The details
Celia Loya was found in her home suffering from blunt force trauma and blood loss, with signs of a struggle present in the living room. Despite years of conducting interviews and following investigative leads, the El Paso Police Department has not identified a suspect.
Timeline
February 7, 1995: Celia Loya was found murdered in her home.
October 16, 2026: Texas Department of Public Safety issued a news release.
Legal Context
The reward remains valid until the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced. This case is being highlighted as part of a recurring effort to leverage public tips for long-unsolved crimes.
Residents with information about the 1995 incident are encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-8477. Providing verifiable tips is the primary way the public can assist investigators in advancing this stagnant case.
The takeaway
Cold cases often rely on public cooperation even decades after the original event. Anyone with potentially relevant details from 1995 should contact the authorities to help provide closure for the victim's family.
Further reading
For more on how cold cases are handled in the city, visit Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by People.
