The family of 21-year-old Adrian Lopez tearfully asked the public's help for details leading up to their son's disappearance and death last month on what would have been his 22nd birthday.
They made their plea at Miami-Dade Police headquarters Wednesday morning.
"It just bewilders me," said Lopez's father, Amado. "I've been breaking my head, that's all I think of."
Lopez was reported missing by his family Jan. 3 and was found dead two days later. His parents made the report after not hearing from Adrian for more than nine hours.
Lopez's mother Barbara said her son normally always called to check in. She had one last conversation with Adrian the afternoon he went missing.
"He called me, and told me he was on his way home and (wanted to know if I) wanted something to eat. That was the last time I spoke to him," she said.
Adrian and his father worked together as property claims adjusters. Amado said one of his last conversations with his son was about his stressful day on the job.
"He said, 'Dad, I have to get out of the house,' because he had been going crazy about an estimate he was preparing, and that's the last time I spoke to him," his father said.
Adrian is said to have left his home around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 3. Miami-Dade Detective James Hatzis is investigating the case and has been able to track several stops the he made throughout the day.
One key location is at a Sunoco gas station between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Authorities said they have information indicating Adrian was seen there inside his 2011 white Chevy Silverado pickup truck with two men.
About two hours later, Lopez's truck was spotted on SW 280th St. and SW 207th Ave. Two days later, Lopez's truck was found at that same spot. He was found locked inside sitting in the passenger's seat with multiple gun shot wounds to his head. Lopez's keys and cell phone were missing.
Anyone with information about the Lopez case is asked to call Crimestoppers at (305) 471 TIPS or (866) 471-8477.
