DNA evidence linked Gonzalo Lopez to area where killings happened

HOUSTON — Many questions nonetheless linger after 5 members of the family had been killed in East Texas final week.

Investigators have linked the crime to an escaped convict.

Sources informed KHOU 11 News that there was DNA on a close-by home tied to the escaped convict, Gonzalo Lopez, and the break-in happened simply days earlier than the members of the family had been killed.

RELATED: Coroner says grandpa, grandsons killed in Centerville had apparently been stabbed

Friends of the household and neighbors are questioning why that info was by no means shared.

The info got here because the Texas Department of Criminal Justice introduced it’s quickly stopping inmate transports due to the investigation into what happened throughout Lopez’s escape.

RELATED: TDCJ suspends inmate transport in wake of Gonzalo Lopez’s escape

At Farney Elementary, within the Cy-Fair Independent School District, a group is mourning the 5 lives lost. Relatives of Mark Collins and his 4 grandsons spoke Sunday at Houston Northwest Church.

“God is still God and we’re not. And there’s a purpose in this, no doubt,” family stated.

After their deaths, questions stay.

“If Mr. Collins knew he (Lopez) was still in this area he would’ve likely … I’m sure he would not have brought his grandsons up here,” neighbor Toni Apodaca stated.

Apodaca visited the memorial outdoors the Centerville ranch where the household was killed.

RELATED: Tomball group rallies round Collins household after quintuple homicide

KHOU 11 News requested TDCJ if the data on the break-in that happened earlier than the murders was shared. A spokesman stated properties had been cleared and constructions had been recognized quite a few occasions all through the manhunt, however finally referred us to the Texas Department of Public Safety to get readability on what truly happened.

DPS informed KHOU 11 News that no extra info will be launched as a result of it’s an energetic investigation.

“This is a horrible, horrible get up that safety of inmate transportation is taken too flippantly,” Sen. John Whitmire, (D) Houston, stated.

He chairs the Criminal Justice Committee and referred to as for TDCJ to cease the transport of violent offenders till an investigation is full.

“How he was in a position to get out of his handcuffs is clearly below very shut evaluate after which he had a weapon, so whoever patted him down made an enormous mistake,” Whitmire stated.

If inmates have to be transported, Whitmire requested for added safety. He needs a minimum of three armed correction officers and a trailing car stuffed with armed correction officers. Whitmire was informed, on this case, there have been solely two correction officers.

Read TDCJ’s full assertion under:

“TDCJ has temporarily suspended the transport of inmates as the agency conducts a comprehensive review of its transportation procedures. If it becomes necessary to do a transport such as releasing or an emergency medical appointment, additional security measures will be implemented. The agency is conducting an internal Serious Incident Review and also intends to bring in an outside firm to conduct an independent review to identify factors that may have lead to the escape of Lopez.”